Architecture and the Environment

          The interaction that occurs between the environment and humans is an interplay that influences and affects both the environment and humans. This interplay affects the well-being of both the environment and humans, and the quality of life and behavior of humans. The environment shapes the behavior of humans by way of environmental cues. Modifying such behavior is necessary to support sustainability in order to limit the negative effects of such behavior on the environment. Also, social norms can influence the beliefs and behavior in regard to the environment. Such behavior and habits in regard to the environment can possible change to lessen negative environmental effects through particular solutions.  

Environmental Cues Shape Behavior 

          Environments have the ability to influence and shape the behavior of humans, and one significant way in which environments influence and shape behavior is by way of cues, also referred to as environmental cues. Steg (2013), “cues are elements in the environment that convey important information or trigger an affective reaction” (p. 120). Environmental cues inform individuals as to what is occurring in environments and such cues also inform individuals, that is, in how to behave in response to what occurs in environments. Therefore, environmental cues are a means of influencing and shaping behavior. For instance, an environmental cue is litter on the ground. Therefore, as an individual is jogging through the park and sees the litter on the ground, which is the environmental cue that influences that particular individual’s behavior in a means to stop jogging, pick up the litter, and throw it away in the trash. Seeing such a cue influenced that particular individual’s behavior.
          Environmental cues are not only means of influencing and shaping behavior but are also a means of solving particular behavior problems. For instance, if particular individuals or students in a classroom fail to stop being talkative or disruptive when a teacher is trying to instruct the classroom, then the teacher can quickly turn on and off the lights in the classroom. The flashing lights are a cue for the particular individuals or students to stop being talkative and disruptive. Soon enough these particular individuals or students will learn that such behavior will result in the cue of flashing lights within the classroom. Therefore, such a cue solves these particular behavioral problems.  

Behavior can be modified to Support Sustainability 

          Environmental psychology has a continual and growing concern which is trying to find the means to modify the behavior of humans to support sustainability, and to preserve the quality of life and well-being of humans (Steg, 2013). However, the concern of sustainability goes beyond environmental psychology concerns and has become a global concern, which reflects the extensive fears of deteriorating humans’ quality of life (Barkin, 1998). Sustainability refers to a well-balanced relationship between humans and the environments they inhabit; this involves finding an ideal balance between economic, social, and environmental qualities (Steg, 2013). Sustainability is to the use, development, and protection of resources at a particular pace and means that enables individuals to currently meet their needs and can ensure that future generations also meet their needs (Steg, 2013).
          Certain individuals usually understand sustainability as a means of not consuming resources in a faster means than the production of such resources and by not polluting the environment in a means that is irreversible. However, these same individuals and numerous other individuals need to better support sustainability. Therefore, to support sustainability the behavior of individuals needs modifying in order to limit the negative effect on the environment. By modifying behavior in regard to fossil fuel usage and limiting energy consumption, individuals can limit the effects of pollution in the environment from high fossil fuel usage and by using energy more efficiently. Also, this involves modifying behavior in regard to using renewable energy and using less or relying less on fossil fuels or using them at all. Also, by modifying behavior in regard to recycling, that is, less waste means limiting the negative effects of such waste on the environment. Also, specific beliefs about the significance in regard to recycling have an influence on recycling behavior (McCarty & Shrum, 2001). Modifying these types of behaviors to support sustainability can limit negative effects on the environment.

Social Norms Influence Behavior and Beliefs about the Environment

          Social norms are informal enforced rules that some consensus agree on, and they govern the behavior of individuals in society (Steg, 2013). Social norms are as aspects that produce beliefs and behaviors; as well as influencing beliefs and behavior in regard to the environment. Social norms can also be representations of associations between beliefs and behavior in regard to the environment (Aarts & Dijksterhuis, 2013). For instance, social norms such as water conservation and recycling have the ability to influence environmental beliefs and behavior such as pro-environmental beliefs and behavior in regard to the environment. Pro-environmental beliefs and behavior are beliefs and behavior that do as little harm to the environment as possible (Steg, 2013). Also, individuals may adopt explicit beliefs and behavior of seeking to minimize negative effects that harm the environment because of social norms.
          However, in an environment whereas the social norms are not to conserve water and not to recycle than this can influence the beliefs and behavior of individuals in regard to non-pro-environmental beliefs and behavior which cause harm to the environment.

Possible Solutions that could successfully change Habits and Behavior

          In order to decrease negative environmental effects, individuals have to use solutions to successfully change habits and behavior. Several possible solutions may exist to successfully change habits and behavior to decrease negative environmental effects. Two possible solutions are to adopt energy-efficient solutions and the adoption of new technologies. When adopting energy-efficient solutions such as using and incorporating energy-efficient products this helps to decrease negative environmental effects because such products consume less energy and require less use of fossil fuels; therefore, this indeed helps to decrease negative environmental effects. Also, in regard to the adoption of new technologies, it is a possible solution as to changing habits and behavior to decrease negative environmental effects because newer technologies are solutions to costly older technologies that effect the environment in negative ways.
          These two solutions are possible solutions because individuals’ habits and behavior may change when adopting energy-efficient solutions such as using and incorporating energy efficient products and adopting new technologies. The reason is that individuals have to become familiar with such solutions; which changes habits and behavior; thereby, decrease negative environmental effects.  

Conclusion

    The environment has an effect on individuals by way shaping their behavior through cues. Modifying behavior in regard to fossil fuel usage, energy consumption, and recycling can support sustainability and limits the negative effects on the environment. Social norms indeed influence beliefs and behavior in regard to the environment. Solutions such as to adopt energy-efficient solutions and the adoption of new technologies can alter behavior and habits, that is, to decrease negative environmental effects.  

Reference

Aarts, H., & Dijksterhuis, A.P., (2013). The Silence of the Library: Environment, Situational Norm, and Social Behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(1), Jan 2003, 18-28.
Barkin, D. (1998). Sustainability. Organization & Environment, 11(1), 5-32. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219868623?accountid=458
McCarty, J.A., & Shrum, L.J. (2001). The Influence of Individualism, Collectivism, and Locus of Control on Environmental Beliefs and Behavior. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 20(1), 93-104.
Steg, L. (2013). Environmental psychology: An introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.