
The Course
Ever felt like the room you're in is affecting your mood? Dive into the fascinating world where psychology meets the final frontier! This course unpacks the intricate relationship between human behavior, mental health, and the physical environment of outer space. We'll explore how isolation, confined spaces, and the absence of Earth's natural landscapes impact astronauts' psychological well-being. Moreover, we'll delve into the design of spacecraft and habitats to promote better living conditions beyond our planet.
Fear not; it's not just about floating in a tin can, far above the world! Understanding the psychology of space has down-to-Earth benefits, too. The principles you'll learn here apply to optimizing workspaces, understanding the effects of sensory deprivation, and developing strategies for managing stress in extreme environments. Whether you're aiming for the stars or just looking for innovative ways to improve human experiences in high-pressure situations, the insights from this course will give you the tools to launch your knowledge into a new orbit.
What you will learn
I started crafting this course with a clear vision in mind: to delve into the fascinating ways our environment shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Whether you're just dipping your toes into the world of psychology or you're looking to expand your understanding of environmental influences, I'm confident you'll find the structure of this journey engaging and enriching. I've meticulously organized each module to build upon the last, ensuring a cohesive learning experience that not only shares knowledge but also fosters critical thinking. What I love most about this course is its real-world application; you'll come away with insights that you can apply to your personal and professional spaces, enhancing well-being and productivity. I'm thrilled to guide you through this exploration, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Curriculum
- Module 1: The Emotional Architecture of Space (3:27)
- Lesson 1.1: The Impact of Poorly-Conceived Design (5:46)
- Lesson 1.2: Le Corbusier’s Five Points of Architecture (4:50)
- Lesson 1.3: Principles of Modernism (4:36)
- Lesson 1.4: The Industrialization of Design (3:54)
- Lesson 1.5: Introduction to Environmental Psychology (4:13)
- Lesson 1.6: Negative Psychological Impacts (5:44)
- Lesson 2.1: The Impact of Human-Centered Design (4:10)
- Lesson 2.2: Case Study: The Bosco Verticale (5:33)
- Lesson 2.3: Case Study: The Guggenheim Bilbao (5:24)
- Lesson 2.4: The Human Experience (3:51)
- Module 2: Our Evolved Mind (2:49)
- Lesson 3.1: Brain Structure & Function (5:07)
- Lesson 3.2: The Brain’s Processing Centers (4:53)
- Lesson 3.3: Important Components of the Brain (10:29)
- Lesson 3.4: Effects On Your Nervous System (4:16)
- Lesson 3.5: Review of Brain Structure & Function (5:53)
- Lesson 4.1: Evolution of the Mammalian Brain (10:39)
- Lesson 4.2: The Savanna Hypothesis (4:34)
- Lesson 5.1: Stress Fatigue and Restoration (5:36)
- Lesson 5.2: Distress & Eustress (5:01)
- Lesson 5.3: Different Types of Stress (2:49)
- Lesson 5.4: Identifying Restorative Spaces (4:17)
- Lesson 5.5: Degrees of Arousal & Pleasantness (3:25)
- Module 3: Sense of Space (3:12)
- Lesson 6.1: Cognitive Mapping (8:48)
- Lesson 6.2: Egocentric & Geographic Terms (4:04)
- Lesson 6.3: The Potential of Neuroplasticity (2:29)
- Lesson 6.4: Kevin Lynch’s Five Elements (10:32)
- Lesson 7.1: Scale & Proportion (6:11)
- Lesson 7.2: The Neuroscience of Small and Large Spaces (5:44)
- Lesson 7.3: Optimizing for Different Types of Work (7:09)
- Lesson 7.4: Human Scale and Proportion (4:59)
- Lesson 7.5: Bernini’s Conclusions (1:02)
- Lesson 8.1: Enclosure & Exposure (6:30)
- Lesson 8.2: Design Applications (2:55)
- Lesson 9.1: Pattern Recognition (3:04)
- Lesson 9.2: Types of Patterns (3:28)
- Lesson 9.3: Choosing & Incorporating Patterns (6:02)
- Lesson 9.4: Self-Similarity in Design (2:33)
- Lesson 9.5: Surface, Spatial and Instinctive Patterns (6:33)
- Lesson 9.6: Applications for Patterns (1:48)
- Lesson 10.1: Geometry & Line (2:22)
- Lesson 10.2: The “Where” and the “What” (3:35)
- Lesson 10.3: Adjusting Lines for the Desired Effect (8:35)
- Lesson 10.4: Effects of Vertical Enclosures (5:08)
- Lesson 10.5: Effects of Horizontal Enclosures (5:59)
- Lesson 10.6: Applications in Design (1:32)
- Lesson 11.1: Light & Color (4:51)
- Lesson 11.2: Characteristics of Light (6:08)
- Lesson 11.3: Color Temperature (2:55)
- Lesson 11.4: Characteristics of Color (4:56)
- Lesson 11.5: Interplay Between Light & Color (0:56)
- Module 4: Perceiving Spaces Differently (2:24)
- Lesson 12.1: Sensory-Motor Systems (6:14)
- Lesson 12.2: Evaluating Visual Complexity (3:29)
- Lesson 12.3: Evaluating Sound Quality (1:58)
- Lesson 12.4: Evaluating the Effects of Scent (2:51)
- Lesson 12.5: Evaluating Touch & Temperature (1:40)
- Lesson 13.1: Knowledge-Meaning Systems (3:23)
- Lesson 13.2: Aesthetic Association (2:48)
- Lesson 13.3: Expert Exposure (2:23)
- Lesson 13.4: Place Memory (2:03)
- Lesson 13.5: Intertwined Perceptions (1:26)
- Lesson 14.1: Emotion-Valuation Systems (2:36)
- Lesson 14.2: How Do Your Gather Energy? (5:04)
- Lesson 14.3: How Do You Process Information? (5:20)
- Lesson 14.4: How Do You Manage Your Life? (5:39)
- Lesson 14.5: How Do You Make Decisions? (6:27)
- Lesson 14.6: What Is Your Appetite for Risk? (5:20)
- Lesson 14.7: Your Place Personality (1:18)

Your instructor
Diana Trushell is a seasoned educator with a profound interest in environmental psychology, dedicating her professional journey to exploring the intricate relationship between human behavior and physical spaces. Her extensive research and practical experience in the field enable her to offer students deep insights into how our surroundings—from urban landscapes to personal dwellings—influence psychological wellbeing. Fascinated by the subtle yet profound impact of architectural design on human mood and behavior, Diana has published several articles on the subject and has been invited as a guest speaker at various conferences to share her expertise.
As the lead instructor for "The Psychology of Space," Diana bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Her passion for the subject is evident in her dynamic teaching style, which has garnered praise from both peers and students alike. She creates a vibrant, interactive learning environment where students are encouraged to critically examine the spaces around them and consider how they can design environments that foster positive psychological outcomes. Diana's commitment to this interdisciplinary field reflects her belief that understanding the psychological effects of our physical environments is key to building healthier, more harmonious communities.

Innovative
Exploring New Frontiers in Spatial Perception and Cognition

Transformative
Shaping Human Experience Through Environmental Psychology

Interdisciplinary
Bridging the Gap Between Architecture and Behavioral Science