People’s mood and wellbeing are affected by various elements of the built environment including spatial allocations, lighting, access to nature, colour, indoor air quality, noise, thermal comfort, user control of space, and preferred environments (i.e., those that are coherent and engaging).
Numerous studies show the positive effects of daylight on human psychology and health. In the field of healthcare, many of these studies show that patients assigned to sunny rooms recover more quickly, on average than those assigned to rooms with less daylight.
Access to nature and green environments yields better cognitive functioning, more self-discipline and impulse control, and greater mental health overall. Less access to nature is linked to exacerbated attention deficit, higher rates of anxiety disorders, and higher rates of clinical depression.
The amount, distribution, and form of interior spaces can have profound effects on the psychological health of people. Some of the main psychological issues at play in regards to spatial allocations include territoriality, personal space, privacy, and crowding.
In some instances (such as on a dance floor or at a ballgame) crowds can create positive energy for some people. However, much of the time people feel stressed when they are crowded. Those who are abnormally sensitive to touch may feel particularly ill at ease in crowded situations in which physical contact with others may occur.
Research has demonstrated that colour is important to the perception of space, building form, wayfinding, ambience, and image. In the Western world, people focus more energy on what they see than on any other sense. The manner in which colour influences human behaviour directly is still being investigated, though experts generally agree on the effects of colour as they relate to the three main attributes of colour—hue, saturation and brightness.
According to a study, in workplaces “ Too much noise from other workers is often the reason that workers say they need privacy, and more noise is related to less satisfaction with a job. Noise from coworkers has been shown to directly influence stress levels, with more noise being linked to more stress. In general, when workers perceive that they are distracted, they become less satisfied with the physical environment in which they work.” Even if people do not realize that they are distracted by noise, they can still be affected negatively.
As with personal space, many interpretations of privacy exist due to differences in personality, life stage, gender, culture and social norms, and experiences. A basic human need, privacy facilitates a sense of control and provides an emotional release. Conversely, those who are deprived of adequate privacy may feel a lack of control over their environments or their lives which can lead to a lack of autonomy, learned dependence on others and learned helplessness
Above all suggest that a healthy environment is essential for a long-term healthy society. Recognizing the interrelationship of the health of humans and the natural world may be the best way to promote the wellbeing of both causes.
FAQs
The environment can affect your sense of social support, comfort, and level of stimulation. Factors such as crime, racism, and pollution can influence your health and safety, which can have a profound impact on your mental well-being.
How does the environment influence human behavior? ›
The environment can facilitate or discourage interactions among people (and the subsequent benefits of social support). For example, an inviting space with comfortable chairs and privacy can encourage a family to stay and visit with a patient. The environment can influence peoples' behavior and motivation to act.
What are the five major impacts humans have on the environment? ›
The five major impacts humans have on the environment include deforestation, global warming, overharvesting, pollution, and agriculture. These have contributed to vast species extinctions, incremental and continuous rises in the sea level, and record setting hot temperatures in the earth's greenhouse atmosphere.
What are the effects of the environment on humans? ›
The health impacts of specific environmental stressors like air pollution, noise, chemicals and climate change are being thoroughly investigated. Recent findings include: Environmental risks are estimated to cause over 18% of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in Europe.
How does our environment affect our personality? ›
Environmental factors, such as upbringing, culture, geographic location, and life experiences, greatly influence our personality. For example, a child raised in a harmonious environment may have a more positive or calm outlook and disposition.
What is an example of environmental behavior? ›
Pro-environmental behavior refers to the adoption of actions aimed at minimizing environmental harm or actively restoring the natural environment, which can be carried out in the private domain (eg, recycling, green purchase, saving water and energy) or public domain (eg, encouraging others to care for and protect the ...
What are the positive and negative impacts of humans on the environment? ›
Humans impact forests both positively and negatively. Positive examples include forest management and forests for profit. Negative examples include invasive species, deforestation, and how invasive species and deforestation can make natural disasters worse.
What is the relationship between human and environment? ›
Humans depend on, adapt, and modify the environment. These are the three main elements of human-environment interaction. Examples of human-environment interaction include deforestation, energy resources, water use, waste, pollution, and urban expansion.
What human activity causes the most harm to the environment? ›
There is overwhelming evidence that human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, are leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn amplify the natural greenhouse effect, causing the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land surface to ...
What are 7 ways humans impact the environment? ›
10 Human Activities That Affect The Environment
- Deforestation and Habitat Destruction. ...
- Fossil Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ...
- Industrialization and Air Pollution. ...
- Agricultural Practices and Soil Degradation. ...
- Water Pollution and Contamination. ...
- Overfishing and Marine Ecosystem Depletion.
How Does Human Affect The Environment?
- Pollution.
- Deforestation.
- Overpopulation.
- Disposal of wastes.
- Wastage of natural resources.
Explanation: Environmental factors influence traits in plants and animals. These traits include things like weight, height, size, and color. If a dog does not get proper nutrition and exercise, their weight will be negatively impacted.
Why does people's behavior change in different settings? ›
Social psychologists assert that an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are very much influenced by social situations. Essentially, people will change their behavior to align with the social situation at hand.
Do you think your environment shapes you? ›
Your environment is how you spend your time (the information you consume, the places you go on the internet, etc.). It is also who you spend your time with. All of these elements contribute to a feedback loop that shapes our tastes, interests, ideas and behavior.
What are the 5 major environmental problems and solutions? ›
The five major environmental problems are climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. Solutions include promoting renewable energy, habitat conservation, sustainable forestry, and species conservation efforts.
What are 5 human impacts on biodiversity? ›
Overfishing and hunting, the destruction of habitats through agriculture and urban sprawl, the use of pesticides and herbicides, and the release of other toxic compounds into the environment have all taken their toll, particularly on vertebrates.
What are the 5 ways humans can reduce their environmental impacts? ›
Here's how you can help:
- Tip 1 – Watch your energy consumption. ...
- Tip 2 – Go vegetarian for a day. ...
- Tip 3 – Recycle old technology. ...
- Tip 4 – Conserve resources. ...
- Tip 5 – Do some gardening. ...
- Tip 6 – Buy in season and avoid packaging. ...
- Tip 7 – Travel smart.
The components of the human-environment system include the non-living components of land, water, and air, as well as the living components of germs, plants, animals, and people.
