CBSE Class 12 Psychology NCERT Solutions: Chapter 8 - Psychology and Life

The term 'environment' broadly refers to everything that surrounds us. It encompasses the physical world (like air, water, land), the social world (interactions, relationships), and the cultural environment (beliefs, values, practices). In essence, it includes all external forces and conditions that influence human beings and to which they respond.

Psychologist Stokols proposed three key perspectives to understand the complex relationship between humans and their environment:

1. The Minimalist Perspective: This view suggests that the physical environment has a very limited or negligible impact on human behaviour. It posits that human actions and environmental changes occur largely in parallel, without significantly affecting each other.
2. The Instrumental Perspective: According to this approach, the environment is seen primarily as a resource or a tool that serves human needs and comfort. Humans are viewed as users who can manipulate and utilize the environment to their advantage and for their convenience.
3. The Spiritual Perspective: This perspective emphasizes the intrinsic value of the environment, advocating for respect and reverence rather than exploitation. It highlights the interdependence between humans and the physical environment. Traditional Indian culture, with its practices of worshipping natural elements like trees (Pipal) and rivers, and movements like the Chipko Andolan and the actions of the Bishnoi community, exemplify this spiritual approach to environmental conservation.

The statement "Human beings affect and are affected by the environment" highlights the reciprocal and dynamic relationship between humanity and its surroundings. Both aspects can be explained with examples:

How the Environment Affects Human Beings:

1. Influence on Perception: Our environment shapes how we perceive the world. For instance, research indicates that individuals from tribal societies in Africa, living in circular huts, make fewer errors in the Muller-Lyer illusion compared to urban dwellers living in angular houses. This suggests that the geometry of our living spaces can influence our visual perception.
2. Influence on Emotions: The environment significantly impacts our emotional state. Experiencing serene natural settings like a quiet river, blooming flowers, or a peaceful mountain top can evoke feelings of joy and happiness. Conversely, exposure to natural disasters such as landslides or floods can lead to profound depression, sorrow, and a sense of helplessness. Traumatic environmental events can have long-lasting psychological effects, sometimes manifesting as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
3. Ecological Influence on Occupation, Living Style, and Attitudes: The natural environment of a region often dictates the primary occupations of its inhabitants, leading to the development of either agricultural or industrial societies. Consequently, these occupations shape the lifestyle and attitudes of the people. For example, people living in coastal areas might develop fishing as a primary occupation, influencing their daily routines, social structures, and outlook.

How Human Beings Affect the Environment:

Human activities often have a negative impact on the environment, creating various environmental stressors:

1. Pollution:
   • Air Pollution: Industrial emissions and automobile exhaust release toxic gases, adversely affecting health. Symptoms can include respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and an increased risk of cancer. It also reduces visibility.
   • Noise Pollution: Unwanted or unpleasant sounds are considered noise pollution. It can lead to psychological distress, increased stress levels, narrowed attention span, and decreased concentration.
   • Water Pollution: Contaminated water sources due to industrial waste, sewage, or agricultural runoff can cause various digestive and gastrointestinal health problems.
2. Noise: Defined as any unpleasant, irritating, or interfering sound, noise acts as a significant environmental stressor. Its adverse effects depend on factors like its predictability (regular sounds are easier to adapt to), controllability (less impact if perceived as controllable), and intensity (loudness).
3. Crowding and Density:
   • Crowding is the subjective feeling of being confined or having too little personal space, which can negatively impact task performance, relationships, and overall well-being.
   • Density is an objective measure referring to the number of people within a specific geographical area or space.
4. Natural and Man-made Disasters: While natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones are environmental events, human activities can exacerbate their impact or cause similar devastation through man-made disasters. Examples include the Bhopal gas tragedy and nuclear accidents. These events cause extensive damage and have long-term psychological consequences for affected populations.

Furthermore, everyday human actions, such as driving cars, using aerosol sprays, or operating refrigerators, contribute cumulatively to environmental degradation, impacting the quality of the environment we live in.

Noise is defined as any sound that is unwanted, unpleasant, or irritating to an individual in a particular situation. What constitutes noise can be subjective; a sound that bothers one person might not disturb another. For example, loud music might be enjoyable for some but irritating noise for others.

Noise pollution can have several adverse psychological effects on human behaviour. The impact of noise depends on various factors:

1. Intensity (Loudness): Louder sounds are generally more unpleasant and irritating than softer ones. Very high-intensity noise can cause physical discomfort and psychological stress.
2. Predictability: Humans tend to adapt more easily to predictable sounds, such as the regular chirping of birds in the morning. Unpredictable or sudden noises are often more disruptive and stressful.
3. Perceived Control: The negative effects of noise are significantly reduced when individuals feel they have some control over it. For instance, if a person can turn off a noisy appliance or move away from a loud source, the stress experienced is less compared to being exposed to uncontrollable noise.

In summary, noise acts as an environmental stressor, and its impact on behaviour is mediated by its characteristics (intensity, predictability) and the individual's perception of control over the sound source.