course-details-portlet

PSY2103

Environmental Psychology

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course introduces environmental psychology as a research-based, applied sub-discipline in psychology. It will be focused on the relation between humans and the physical environment through methods and theories which are used in environmental psychology. This includes the effects of the physical environment on people and their health and well-being (e.g., nature like forests or the oceans, but also cities and buildings). It will also be analyzed how people have an effect on the physical environment (e.g., how people make environmentally relevant decisions in relation to transport, energy use, or purchase of products). The application of environmental psychological findings, theories and research methods will be addressed with respect to environmental and climate protection in the context of companies, authorities, environmental campaigns and local societies, and to how to plan and prepare cities that foster the quality of living of their citizens.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Students gain a deeper understanding of how humans and the physical environment affect each other, with a focus on the psychological underpinnings of environmental behavior.

The student has knowledge about the basic terms, theories and the most important findings from environmental psychological research with respect to how humans are affected by different types of physical environments and their stress-inducing or -reducing effects.

The student has in addition basic knowledge about how people take decisions that affect the environment, and how this knowledge can be used on companies and by authorities.

Skills

The student is able to describe the most important environmental psychological theories with precise scientific language and can apply these to analyze relevant problems within environmental psychology.

The student is able to evaluate scientific papers in environmental psychology and judge their central conclusions.

Students develop the ability to analyze and summarize scientific literature and hone their science communication skills

General competence

The student has insight into some of the most pressing societal challenges within quality of life, climate and environment, and is able to exchange their perspectives with others based on a background within environmental psychology.

The student is able to reflect critically in written form about issues within this discipline and use scientific literature from environmental psychology to underpin their arguments.

Students reflect critically on environmental psychology issues, contribute to the dissemination of key research findings, and build teamwork, project management, and creative communication skills.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures 2 hours per week.

Compulsory assignments

  • Group-based video assignment

Required previous knowledge

None

Subject areas

  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences and Psychology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Psychology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Date 2025-11-20 Time 09:00 Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL311 lyseblå sone
88 candidates

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.