This module provides a comprehensive examination of the psychological determinants of environmental behaviour, focusing on the interplay between individual cognition and broader social systems. It explores key constructs such as values, beliefs, worldviews, emotions, habits, and social norms, and how these shape pro-environmental or unsustainable actions. A central theme of the module is the knowledge–behaviour gap, highlighting why increased awareness does not consistently translate into meaningful behavioural change.The module further engages with theoretical frameworks such as the “tragedy of the commons” and the “dragons of inaction” to unpack cognitive, social, and structural barriers to environmental action. Through global case studies, learners will critically examine how micro-level psychological processes interact with macro-level forces, including policy, infrastructure, and cultural context, to influence environmental outcomes. The module situates environmental behaviour within real-world challenges such as climate change and urban sustainability, enabling learners to connect theory with practice.

This module examines the dynamic relationship between individuals and their environments, with a particular focus on how the alignment or mismatch between the two influences behaviour, well-being, and decision-making. It introduces the concept of person–environment fit as a central framework for understanding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to their surroundings. Learners will engage with key theoretical perspectives, including environmental determinism, possibilism, and transactional approaches, to critically analyse the extent to which environments shape human behaviour and how individuals, in turn, actively shape their environments. The module also draws on cross-cultural teaching and learning contexts to highlight how person–environment interactions vary across diverse socio-cultural settings.In addition, the module introduces foundational research methods in environmental psychology, including behavioural observation, surveys, and questionnaire design. Emphasis is placed on developing methodological rigour and understanding ethical considerations, particularly in cross-cultural research contexts. Through applied examples, learners will gain practical insights into designing and implementing research tools to study environmental behaviour.

This module explores how individuals cognitively perceive their environments and develop deep emotional and symbolic connections with places. It examines the psychological processes through which spaces are not only understood but also experienced, remembered, and integrated into one’s identity. Drawing on concepts such as cognitive mapping and place attachment, the module highlights how individuals construct mental representations of their surroundings and assign meaning to them over time. A key focus of the module is understanding how environmental change, whether gradual, such as urban transformation and gentrification, or abrupt, such as climate-induced displacement, can disrupt these relationships. Learners will critically engage with the psychological consequences of losing familiar environments, including impacts on identity, belonging, and well-being. The module also considers how architecture, urban design, and cultural context shape the experience of place, illustrating how physical spaces carry memory, meaning, and social significance.

This module examines the relationship between environmental conditions and mental and public health, focusing on both restorative environments and environmental stressors. It introduces key theories such as Attention Restoration Theory and Stress Reduction Theory to explain how natural environments support cognitive recovery, emotional well-being, and stress reduction. The module then explores how environmental stressors such as air pollution, noise, and crowding affect attention, behaviour, and psychological health. It highlights how these stressors can lead to cognitive overload, fatigue, and a reduced sense of control, particularly in dense urban settings. Special attention is given to how individuals perceive and respond to environmental risks, especially in the case of air pollution, where invisible threats influence both emotions and behaviour. The module also introduces emerging challenges such as Eco-anxiety, along with the role of resilience and coping mechanisms.

This module examines how the design and organisation of built environments shape human behaviour, emotions, and social interactions. It explores key concepts such as privacy, personal space, and territoriality, and how these influence well-being and stress. The module highlights how housing and spatial design affect everyday life, particularly in dense urban settings. It also focuses on vulnerable contexts such as refugee settlements and post-disaster housing, where design plays a critical role in dignity and recovery. Additionally, it reflects on the symbolic and experiential impact of spaces, including spiritual and heritage structures. Overall, the module connects environmental psychology theory to real-world design challenges.

This module explores how individuals and societies respond psychologically to climate change and other environmental threats. It distinguishes between coping and adaptation processes and examines how people manage stress, uncertainty, and risk in the face of ecological crises. The module highlights issues of environmental justice, focusing on unequal vulnerability and how social, economic, and geographic factors shape exposure and resilience. It also examines how people perceive climate risks through concepts such as psychological distance and risk perception, which influence engagement and action. Special attention is given to emotional responses such as eco-anxiety, as well as the role of resilience in navigating these challenges. Finally, the module critically analyses climate communication, including storytelling, denial, and public engagement strategies, to understand how narratives shape collective responses to climate change.

This module examines the psychological foundations of pro-environmental behaviour by integrating key theoretical frameworks that explain why individuals adopt or fail to adopt sustainable practices. It explores influential models such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Norm Activation Theory, and Value–Belief–Norm Theory to understand how attitudes, values, norms, and perceived control shape decision-making. The module also critically addresses the persistent attitude–behaviour gap, highlighting why awareness and positive intentions often do not translate into action. Moving from theory to practice, it analyses how behavioural insights can inform policy design, improve compliance, and promote large-scale environmental change. Additionally, the module engages with contemporary challenges such as greenwashing and consumer trust, emphasising the role of credibility, communication, and ethical responsibility in shaping sustainable behaviour.

This module examines how everyday environmental behaviour is shaped by habits, automatic processes, and cognitive shortcuts rather than deliberate decisions. Drawing on insights from Behavioural Economics, it explores how choice architecture and nudging can encourage more sustainable actions. Building on the work of Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, the module evaluates both the effectiveness and ethical implications of such interventions. It also investigates how corporations design environments and marketing strategies to influence consumer choices. A key focus is on identifying greenwashing and distinguishing it from genuine sustainability efforts. Learners will critically assess the impact of these strategies on consumer trust and behaviour. Overall, the module equips students to analyse, design, and question behavioural interventions for sustainable futures.

This module shifts the focus from individual behaviour to the broader systems and policy frameworks required for large-scale environmental change. It introduces the principles of systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of environmental challenges and the unintended consequences of interventions. The module explores how participatory planning can improve policy design, legitimacy, and public acceptance by involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making. It also examines the psychological and social dynamics that shape policy resistance and adoption. Through real-world examples, learners will analyse how cities drive sustainability transitions across transport, energy, and waste systems. Finally, the module equips students with basic tools to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of environmental policies in practice.

This module brings environmental psychology out of theory and into practice by examining how behavioural insights are applied across real-world contexts, including cities, workplaces, public policy, and community initiatives. It explores how governments, organisations, and practitioners design behaviour-change interventions to address pressing challenges such as air pollution, resource consumption, and sustainable development. Through global case studies including examples from India, China, and Bhutan, the module highlights diverse approaches shaped by cultural, economic, and political contexts.Learners will examine how sustainability challenges and solutions differ across the Global North and Global South, and how communication strategies and public campaigns are used to influence attitudes and behaviours at scale. Emphasis is placed on critically analysing real interventions, understanding what works (and why), and identifying the role of context in shaping outcomes. The module ultimately encourages learners to translate environmental psychology principles into their own professional domains, equipping them to design practical, context-sensitive solutions for sustainable futures.

This concluding module brings together key concepts from across the course and focuses on their application in addressing future environmental challenges. It explores emerging areas such as digital nudging, climate adaptation behaviour, and the growing role of technology in shaping sustainable actions. Learners will engage with tools like climate simulations to understand the complexity of real-world decision-making and why well-intentioned solutions often fail during implementation. The module also examines how behaviour change interventions can be designed within complex, interconnected systems, where social, psychological, and structural factors interact. Special attention is given to the role of data, algorithms, and AI in influencing behaviour, along with the ethical considerations these advancements raise. Through reflection and synthesis, learners are encouraged to connect course insights to their own behaviours and professional contexts. The module culminates in developing a simple, practical behaviour change idea, equipping students to translate environmental psychology into actionable solutions for an uncertain and rapidly evolving future.