Research Methods for Environmental Psychology

Research Methods for Environmental Psychology

The chapters in this volume offer a broad-gauged, in-depth overview of diverse research methods for studying and improving people s relationships with their everyday surroundings. This book will be an invaluable resource for scholars and practitioners working in the interdisciplinary fields of environmental psychology, urban planning, and environmental design research. Daniel Stokols, Ph.D., Chancellor s Professor Emeritus, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, USA A highly accessible and long overdue book which sets the methods in context by starting with the problems environmental psychologists are trying to solve; it reflects what we tell our students to do start with the problem and then explore the most appropriate methodology, not vice versa. An interesting choice of research methods have been selected that go beyond the normal suspects. David Uzzell, Professor of Environmental Psychology, University of Surrey, UK This is not only a volume on research methods, but an invaluable book showing the incredible richness and potential of the still growing field of environmental psychology. Mirilia Bonnes, Professor of Social and Environmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy As economic and global climate changes press human health and the human spirit, insights about how to study the role of the physical environment in human behavior are more critical than ever. This volume provides up-to-date overviews of multiple methodological approaches to studying human environment relations. The collective wisdom and experiences of the chapter authors reflect well on environmental psychology. Professionals, scholars, and advanced students interested in people and the environment will repeatedly rely on this volume. Gary W. Evans, Elizabeth Lee Vincent Professor of Human Ecology, Cornell University, USA In this much-needed book research methods are introduced in a fun way without overly simplifying the topics, which should appeal to both students and teachers. The uniquely broad coverage of different research methods in environmental psychology will be very useful for academic courses. Tommy Gärling, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Research Methods for Environmental Psychology Edited by Robert Gifford

This edition first published 2016 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148 5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley blackwell. The right of Robert Gifford to be identified as the author of the editorial material in this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Names: Gifford, Robert, editor. Title: Research methods for environmental psychology / edited by Robert Gifford. Description: Hoboken : Wiley, 2015. Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2015031981 (print) LCCN 2015039975 (ebook) ISBN 9781118795330 (cloth) ISBN 9781118795385 (pbk.) ISBN 9781118795415 (pdf) ISBN 9781118795453 (epub) Subjects: LCSH: Environmental psychology Research. Classification: LCC BF353.R46 2015 (print) LCC BF353 (ebook) DDC 155.9072/1 dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015031981 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Cover image: fotovoyager/istockphoto Set in 9.5/11.5pt Galliard by SPi Global, Pondicherry, India 1 2016

Contents Contributors vii 1 Introduction: Environmental Psychology and its Methods 1 Robert Gifford 2 Observational Methods: The First Step in Science 9 Reuven Sussman 3 Behavioral Mapping and Tracking 29 Cheuk Fan Ng 4 Research Designs for Environmental Issues 53 Wokje Abrahamse, P. Wesley Schultz, and Linda Steg 5 Agree to Disagree: A Practical Guide to Conducting Survey Research in Environmental Psychology 71 Donald W. Hine, Christine Kormos, and Anthony D. G. Marks 6 Who Cares? Measuring Environmental Attitudes 93 Amanda McIntyre and Taciano L. Milfont 7 Qualitative Approaches to Environment Behavior Research: Understanding Environmental and Place Experiences, Meanings, and Actions 115 David Seamon and Harneet K. Gill 8 Revealing the Conceptual Systems of Places 137 David Canter 9 Behavioral Methods for Spatial Cognition Research 161 Daniel R. Montello 10 Microworlds: Using Computers to Understand Choices about the Use of Natural Resources 183 Angel Chen and Paul A. Bell 11 Simulating Designed Environments 197 Arthur E. Stamps III

vi Contents 12 Planning the Built Environment: Programming 221 Jay Farbstein, Richard E. Wener, and Lindsay J. McCunn 13 Did that Plan Work? Post occupancy Evaluation 249 Richard E. Wener, Lindsay J. McCunn, and Jennifer Senick 14 Action Research: Enhancing Application 271 Valeria Cortés and Robert Sommer 15 Research Designs for Measuring the Effectiveness of Interventions 291 Wokje Abrahamse 16 Applying Behavioral Science for Environmental Sustainability 307 E. Scott Geller, Wokje Abrahamse, Branda Guan, and Reuven Sussman 17 Improving Human Functioning: Ecotherapy and Environmental Health Approaches 323 Thomas Doherty and Angel Chen 18 Research and Design for Special Populations 345 John Zeisel, Robert Gifford, Mark Martin, and Lindsay J. McCunn 19 Advanced Statistics for Environment Behavior Research: Multi level Modeling and Structural Equation Modeling 369 Donald W. Hine, Victor Corral Verdugo, Navjot Bhullar, and Martha Frias Armenta 20 Meta analysis: An Analysis of Analyses 389 Christine Kormos Author Index 409 Subject Index 421

Contributors Wokje Abrahamse Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Paul A. Bell Colorado State University, CO, United States Navjot Bhullar University of New England, NSW, Australia David Canter University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom Angel Chen University of Victoria, BC, Canada Victor Corral Verdugo Universidad de Sonora, Mexico Valeria Cortés University of Victoria, BC, Canada Thomas Doherty Lewis and Clark Graduate School, OR, United States Jay Farbstein Jay Farbstein & Associates, Los Angeles, CA, United States Martha Frias Armenta Universidad de Sonora, Mexico E. Scott Geller Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, VA, United States Robert Gifford University of Victoria, BC, Canada Harneet K. Gill Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Branda Guan University of Victoria, BC, Canada Donald W. Hine University of New England, NSW, Australia Christine Kormos University of Victoria, BC, Canada Anthony D. G. Marks University of New England, NSW, Australia Mark Martin Optimal Environments, Inc., FL, United States Lindsay J. McCunn University of Victoria, BC, Canada Amanda McIntyre University of Victoria, BC, Canada Taciano L. Milfont Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Daniel R. Montello University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States Cheuk Fan Ng Athabasca University, AB, Canada

viii Contributors P. Wesley Schultz California State University, San Marcos, CA, United States David Seamon Kansas State University, KS, United States Jennifer Senick Rutgers University, NJ, United States Arthur E. Stamps III Institute of Environmental Quality, San Francisco, CA, United States Linda Steg University of Groningen, The Netherlands Robert Sommer University of California, Davis, CA, United States Reuven Sussman University of Victoria, BC, Canada Richard E. Wener New York University, NY, United States John Zeisel Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, United States