Lewin’s Psychological Ecology, Gibson’s Ecological Psychology, and Barker’s Eco-Behavioural Science: A Holistic Approach to Human-Environment Interactions

Human behaviour is a crucial factor underlying most of the major crises of our world. These issues range from new technologies and socio-political unrest to diseases, social and economic inequality, and ecological problems. Due to being profoundly rooted in experience and culture, behaviours are fundamentally influenced by the environment. Man is affected by his surroundings as an inseparable part of the environment with his physical and socio-cultural aspects. Moreover, humans are dynamic creatures capable of changing their environment. In addition to having a mutual individual interaction with the environment, as social beings, our actions are shaped by the dynamics of behaviour settings. By illuminating the influence of ecological perspectives on human behaviour, this study aims to elaborate on Kurt Lewin’s ecological psychology, Roger Barker’s eco-behavioural science, and James Gibson’s affordances. The reciprocal interaction between man and environment is highlighted, and a holistic approach to human interaction with the environment at both individual and collective levels is achieved.