Open AccessEssentialism in Environmental Psychology: Controversies and Evidence
Author(s) -
Maria Lewicka
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
roczniki psychologiczne
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.158
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2451-4306
pISSN - 1507-7888
DOI - 10.18290/rpsych21242-2s
Subject(s) - essentialism , epistemology , perception , relevance (law) , theme (computing) , environmental psychology , identity (music) , psychology , social psychology , sociology , philosophy , aesthetics , computer science , political science , law , operating system
This paper deals with the issue of psychological essentialism as present in environmental studies. The essentialist belief—that is, the assumption that things have a deep essence that defines their stable identity—has been a recurring theme in environmental psychology. In this paper, I show its relevance for such research areas as environmental perception and the concept of place as a meaningful location. I show that essentialism underlies early phenomenological theories of place and is present in contemporary biophilic theories of environmental perception. I discuss relevant theories and present research findings that justify the claim that people are psychological essentialists when dealing with the physical built environment.