Environmental psychology and human-technology interaction
Our research focusses on interactions between humans and the environment. We define the term environment broadly, to include natural environments, social environments (e.g., family, peers, society) and built environments (e.g., cities, urban spaces, roads), as well as technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, interfaces) and technology-based services (e.g., delivery robots, crowd shipping). We examine how these environments influence our behaviours, experiences and well-being, and how our behaviour influences environments. Analysing problems within the human-environment interactions allows us to suggest interventions that lead to more desirable behavioural outcomes, such as improved safety and health or lower environmental impact.
Our studies span from examining of how a specific technical design influences immediate safety-relevant reactions to investigating how the sociotechnical environment shapes our attitudes, norms and behaviours during the life course. We also examine the effects of behavioural interventions, infrastructures, technologies and regulations on behaviour and how the social and cultural context influences these effects and may be challenged by habits and rebound effects.
To explain human behaviour, we mainly revert to models and concepts from social and cognitive psychology and human factor research. We apply quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including surveys, controlled experiments (e.g., VR-based simulations), field studies, observations, in-depth interviews and focus groups. We also combine qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of human behaviour.
Our overall mission is to conduct research that leads to more sustainable behaviour and increased health and well-being. One main area of application is transport.
While transport is needed to fulfil our mobility needs and enable social inclusion, our current transport behaviour elicits many negative consequences, such as noise and air pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change. Furthermore, road traffic crashes are among the leading causes of deaths worldwide, and a lack of accessibility leaves people behind. Technology alone cannot solve these challenges, but the use of technology requires a better understanding of human behaviour and its interactions with the environment. Based on this knowledge, more effective interventions from tailored information, changed policies and regulations to improved infrastructure and telerobotic solutions are suggested and examined.
Our studies span from examining of how a specific technical design influences immediate safety-relevant reactions to investigating how the sociotechnical environment shapes our attitudes, norms and behaviours during the life course. We also examine the effects of behavioural interventions, infrastructures, technologies and regulations on behaviour and how the social and cultural context influences these effects and may be challenged by habits and rebound effects.
To explain human behaviour, we mainly revert to models and concepts from social and cognitive psychology and human factor research. We apply quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including surveys, controlled experiments (e.g., VR-based simulations), field studies, observations, in-depth interviews and focus groups. We also combine qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of human behaviour.
Our overall mission is to conduct research that leads to more sustainable behaviour and increased health and well-being. One main area of application is transport.
While transport is needed to fulfil our mobility needs and enable social inclusion, our current transport behaviour elicits many negative consequences, such as noise and air pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change. Furthermore, road traffic crashes are among the leading causes of deaths worldwide, and a lack of accessibility leaves people behind. Technology alone cannot solve these challenges, but the use of technology requires a better understanding of human behaviour and its interactions with the environment. Based on this knowledge, more effective interventions from tailored information, changed policies and regulations to improved infrastructure and telerobotic solutions are suggested and examined.
Contact
Sonja Haustein Professor Department of Technology, Management and Economics Phone: +45 45256519 sonh@dtu.dk