Session 3           Readings:          Chapter 2          Theories in Environmental Psychology          Chapter 2 in your text describes several theories and perspectives to understand the complexity of the human-environment relationship.           Six different approaches are discussed and these include the arousal theory, stimulus load theory, behavior constraint theory, adaptation level theory, environmental stress theory and finally the ecological theory. Many of these theories discuss what happens when environmental stimuli deviate from some optimal level and how they impact behavior. These theories also attempt to incorporate a variety of individual, social, physical, and environmental characteristics to explain behavior.          Some of these theories are too general and some too specific in their approach. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these perspectives. If theories are too general and too broad in scope such as the arousal or ecological theories that limits our ability to account for individual differences. On the other hand if theories are too specific such as the stimulus load or adaptation level theory it is difficult to make any general inferences about behavior.          The authors propose a model of the environment-behavior relationship taking into consideration several physical, social, situational, and personal variables. The model is fairly complex and is only a speculation by the authors of how these variables may be related. The authors also offer a number of assertions and assumptions to understand this environment-behavior interaction.          Essays          1. Compare and contrast the stimulus load theories in Environmental psychology with the behavior constraint theories. What are the strengths of each? The weaknesses?  Activities          Read the time out exercise on page 28 and attempt to answer some of the questions addressed. We will review these answers later in the course as more lessons are completed.  The authors in the book suggest that behavior is goal directed and that the primary goal of coping behavior is to return to an equilibrium with the environment. Discuss this proposition in the light of the fact that some people are known to be sensation-seekers i.e. they seek out the scariest roller coasters, the fastest cars, the steepest slopes. If you know of any individuals who are sensation seekers, interview them briefly to find out why they engage in such behavior.  Are these behaviors incompatible with what the authors suggest. Could these be brief excursions from the steady state? What role could these behaviors play in the human-environment system and in what ways could these be considered adaptive.  Briefly discuss your findings in one paragraph or less.  This assignment is due by February 1st.