American Journal of Applied Psychology

Special Issue

Unveiling the Impact of Environmental Stimuli: Integrating Virtual Reality in Environmental Psychology

  • Submission Deadline: 31 July 2024
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Hossein Saedi
About This Special Issue
In the evolving landscape of environmental psychology, a field that explores the intricate connections between individuals and their surroundings, the significance of human experiences within diverse environments—whether natural, built, or virtual—has become increasingly evident. Over multiple decades, researchers have delved into the impacts of environments on individual health, primarily focusing on singular aspects such as human perception or specific physiological responses like heart rate or blood pressure. However, the broader, multi-dimensional effects of interacting with an environment on both physiological and psychological health received comparatively less attention.
Recognizing this historical trajectory, this special issue seeks to contribute to the ongoing evolution of environmental psychology. It focuses on leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology in conjunction with traditional research methodologies to deepen our understanding of the multifaceted impacts that various environmental stimuli can have on individuals. The integration of state-of-the-art technologies serves as a cornerstone, enabling researchers to measure the nuanced impacts of these interactions across VR settings, real-life environments, or a combination of both. This endeavor encompasses a comprehensive exploration of physiological responses and psychological states, embracing an array of outcomes derived from diverse theories, approaches, data collection methods, and techniques.
The studies featured in this special issue collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of how environmental stimuli influence key facets of human experience, including physiological responses, eye-movement patterns, stress levels, sleep quality, mood fluctuations, attention restoration, perception, and cognitive performance. By synthesizing insights gained from cutting-edge technologies with conventional research approaches, this special issue seeks to chart new territories in the exploration of the intricate interplay between individuals and their environment, fostering advancements in both theory and practical applications within the field of environmental psychology.

Keywords:

  1. Human-Environment Interaction
  2. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Realities
  3. Physiological Responses (Sensation)
  4. Human Perception
  5. Cognitive Performance
  6. Psycho-Physiologcal Responses
  7. Environmental Psychology
  8. Architecture
  9. Interior Design
  10. Landscape Architecture
  11. Natural and Built Environment
Lead Guest Editor
  • Hossein Saedi

    College of Design , North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States

Guest Editors
  • Christopher D. Ellis

    Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, United States

  • Byoung-Suk Kweon

    Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, United States

  • Arthur Rice

    Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States

  • Christopher Mayhorn

    Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States

  • Sharmin Kader

    Department of Construction Management & Interior Design, Ball State University , Muncie, United States

  • Aiden Ackerman

    College of Environmental Science and Forestry, The State University of New York, Syracuse, United States