Abstract:

In this paper, we reviewed existing scientific literature on adverse effects of air pollution, particularly psychological and behavioral effects, and how these effects are developed under different theoretical frameworks. Collective evidence indicated that air pollution exerts negative effects on human physical health, but also cognitive functions, emotions and behaviors. As for now, two theoretical frameworks have been developed to interpret how air pollution causes a series of adverse effects, framework of environmental stressors and framework of social-environmental interaction. These frameworks arguably stated that adverse effect of air pollution is not only subject to the direct exposure of air pollution, but also individual’s psychosomatic status and he or she how to evaluate air pollution. We also discussed future directions for this line of research for environmental psychologists. Future research is expected to improve research approach, and conduct psychological studies under the framework of environmental stress and risk perception.

Key words: air pollution, risk perception, environmental stressor, adverse effect, environmental psychology