Running Head: APPLICATION OF MOTIVATION IN LEARNING THEORY 1 APPLICATION OF MOTIVATION IN LEARNING THEORY 2 Application of Motivation in Learning Theory PSYCH 635 February 16, 2015 Application of Motivation in Learning Theory: Environmental and Evolutionary Psychology Transcript Environmental and evolutionary psychology focuses on the study of how environmental and evolutionary factors affect one’s psychological processes. Environmental psychology identifies the connection between the environment and its impact on humans. Moreover, this includes how it affects human, cognitively and one’s behavior. Evolutionary psychology, generally, goes into research about memory, language, and perspectives through the evolutionary theory of adaptation. The evolutionary theory targets functional properties of organisms. This may include the functioning of the brain. People may not behave or act the same way in the same environments or in different environments. Furthermore, humans tend to have to adapt in the settings, transforming psychological traits to allow humans to become more comfortable than before. Evolutionary theorists view the psychological traits of humans as progressed adaptations. Environmental and evolutionary psychology can allow people to understand how they can be affected by external factors. For example, there are a variety of psychological benefits of spending time in nature and with animals. Theory-based motivation can be applied for learning to alter behavior. There are intrinsic and extrinsic rewards in spending time in nature and with animals. Information has been gathered from an interview, where the interviewer is helping a park visitor expand his or her knowledge on the benefits of spending time in nature and with animals. Interview Interviewer: Welcome to the national park. It seems as if you are enjoying the views. Outside of the beauty of nature and fun spent observing or interacting with animals, did you know that there are many psychological benefits of spending time in nature and with animals? Park Visitor: I have some of knowledge on its benefits. I come here to the park, to get away and establish some peace of my mind. Interviewer: How does the park allow you to establish some peace of mind? What makes visiting, an effective method for you? Park Visitor: Nature and animals allow me to feel accepted because I know I cannot be judged by them. Moreover, it helps me to relax because the environment is very calming. Interviewer: That is great! I do agree with you, people do benefit from spending more time outdoors with nature or animals. According to Diamond (2010), “There is even a new movement called ecotherapy that aims to rescue our bodies and minds by getting us reconnected with nature” (p.28). Ecotherapy is a form of therapy that comes from nature. It allows people to create a balance, establishes harmony, and also increases mental health. People that spend more time with nature or animals are mo ...

1. Running Head: APPLICATION OF MOTIVATION IN
LEARNING THEORY 1
APPLICATION OF MOTIVATION IN LEARNING THEORY
2
Application of Motivation in Learning Theory
PSYCH 635
February 16, 2015
Application of Motivation in Learning Theory:
Environmental and Evolutionary Psychology Transcript
Environmental and evolutionary psychology focuses on the
study of how environmental and evolutionary factors affect
one’s psychological processes. Environmental psychology
identifies the connection between the environment and its
impact on humans. Moreover, this includes how it affects
human, cognitively and one’s behavior. Evolutionary

2. psychology, generally, goes into research about memory,
language, and perspectives through the evolutionary theory of
adaptation. The evolutionary theory targets functional
properties of organisms. This may include the functioning of the
brain. People may not behave or act the same way in the same
environments or in different environments. Furthermore,
humans tend to have to adapt in the settings, transforming
psychological traits to allow humans to become more
comfortable than before. Evolutionary theorists view the
psychological traits of humans as progressed adaptations.
Environmental and evolutionary psychology can allow people to
understand how they can be affected by external factors. For
example, there are a variety of psychological benefits of
spending time in nature and with animals. Theory-based
motivation can be applied for learning to alter behavior. There
are intrinsic and extrinsic rewards in spending time in nature
and with animals. Information has been gathered from an
interview, where the interviewer is helping a park visitor
expand his or her knowledge on the benefits of spending time in
nature and with animals.
Interview
Interviewer: Welcome to the national park. It seems as if you
are enjoying the views. Outside of the beauty of nature and fun
spent observing or interacting with animals, did you know that
there are many psychological benefits of spending time in
nature and with animals?
Park Visitor: I have some of knowledge on its benefits. I come
here to the park, to get away and establish some peace of my
mind.
Interviewer: How does the park allow you to establish some
peace of mind? What makes visiting, an effective method for
you?
Park Visitor: Nature and animals allow me to feel accepted
because I know I cannot be judged by them. Moreover, it helps
me to relax because the environment is very calming.
Interviewer: That is great! I do agree with you, people do

3. benefit from spending more time outdoors with nature or
animals. According to Diamond (2010), “There is even a new
movement called ecotherapy that aims to rescue our bodies and
minds by getting us reconnected with nature” (p.28). Ecotherapy
is a form of therapy that comes from nature. It allows people to
create a balance, establishes harmony, and also increases mental
health. People that spend more time with nature or animals are
more likely to have better health and better perspective than
others.
Park Visitor: Many of my friends and family never believe me
when I go into details about how nature and being with animals
can make me think better and relaxed than without it. I am
unaware of the exact benefits, but I know that it can allow me to
appreciate the world and its beauty more, along with minimizing
my stressors. I was unaware that ecotherapy was a real
therapeutic method used by a lot of people around the world.
Interviewer: There are many health symptoms that are improved
with nature and with animals. Did you know that spending time
with nature and animals can also reduce Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, improve vision,
increase critical thinking skills, and create a better spiritual
base?
Park Visitor: No.I did not have any ideal.
Interviewer: I’ll help you to understand?
Park Visitor: Yes, please!
Interviewer: ADHD is a disorder that causes issues with staying
focused and creates an inability to control behavior. By
spending time in nature and animals, it allows individuals to
relax, focus, and control of their behavior, based on what is
around them. Furthermore, being out improves distance vision.
It lowers the chance of nearsightedness because it allows people
to gradually increase their eyesight through observation and
expansion of the natural settings. Spiritually, nature makes
people nicer, enhancing social interactions, value for
community and close relationships (National Wildlife
Federation, 2014).

4. Park Visitor: That is very interesting! I knew that it helped the
mind and body, but I did not know that there were so many
other benefits. To know that there are researchers or
psychologists that have looked into how being in nature and
with animals can create health or psychological benefits is
amazing.
Interviewer: Yes, there have been studies conducted that focus
on the effects of being in nature. Since the early 1980s,
environmental psychologists have studied the health effects of
contact with nature (Velarde et al, 2007). At the same time,
models that promote ecological health have informed the
development of strategies such as “healthy cities”, “healthy
schools” and “healthy workplaces” which recognize the
importance of natural environments for human health and well-
being (Burls 2007).
Park Visitor: I must admit that I am curious now. What about
these adorable creatures? [Park visitor approaches the area of
the ducks]. Can you alert me of the exact benefits that would
come from being around them, separated from nature?
Interviewer: Animals can contribute to better health, too. For
example, studies have shown that by having a dog, an infant can
gain a higher interleukin secretion profile and can grow up with
reduced sensitization (Dr. Gern et. al., 2004). It is surprising,
would you say? Animals can help people to improve in social
interaction and stimulation. Animals can help bring forth
happiness in a variety of ways.
Park Visitor: I have children that have grown up being around
animals because I, myself, love animals. They have grown to
love animals and it is helpful that the animals can help bring
benefits to children, just as children are able to benefit animals
through love and care.
Interviewer: Spending time in nature and with animals can bring
intrinsic rewards, as well as extrinsic rewards. We have gone
into details about the intrinsic rewards of relaxation, more
focus, more motivation, and peace with the mind and body.
Would you like to know about the extrinsic rewards, as well?

5. Park Visitor: Yes! I am really enjoying this interview because I
am a nature and animal lover. I am grateful that you have
allowed me to expand my knowledge on two of my favorite
topics.
Interviewer: Extrinsic motivation refers to our tendency to
perform activities for known external rewards, whether they be
tangible (e.g., money) or psychological (e.g., praise) in nature
(Brown, 2007). Extrinsic rewards, in this case, would include
having a place or setting of comfort and having animals there to
provide company or support.
Park Visitor: I could not agree more. These are the main reasons
why I visit this park.
Interviewer: Is there anything else that you would like to know
about the psychological benefits of spending time in nature and
being with animals?
Park Visitor: No,thank you for helping to raise awareness on the
benefits of nature and with being around animals.
Interviewer: My pleasure, it is important that I help everyone, I
can; expand their perspectives and knowledge on the benefits
that can, simply, come from nature and by being around
animals.
Conclusion
Environmental and evolutionary psychology focuses on the
study of how environmental and evolutionary factors affect
one’s psychological processes. There are a variety of
psychological benefits of spending time in nature and with
animals. Throughout the interview, the interviewer provides
information on the benefits of being in nature and animals. For
example, spending time in nature and with animals can be
therapeutic for the mind and body. It has led to what is known
as ecotherapy. Ecotherapy is therapy that comes from nature
creating a balance, establishing harmony, and increasing the
level of mental health. Spending time with nature and animals
can also reduce Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
symptoms, improve vision, increase critical thinking skills, and

6. create a better spiritual base. Studies on effects of natures date
back from the 1980s. Being with animals outside of nature can
help improve health by allowing people to feel better through
social interaction and stimulation. The intrinsic rewards of
spending time in nature and around animals consist of
relaxation, more focus and motivation, and obtaining peace with
the mind and body. Extrinsic rewards include having a place or
setting of comfort and having animals there to provide company
or support.
References
Brown, L. V. (2007). Psychology of motivation. New York:
Nova Publishers.
Burls, A. (2007). ‘People and Green Spaces: Promoting public
health and mental wellbeing
through ecotherapy’, Journal of Public Mental Health, vol. 6,
no. 3, pp. 24–39.
Diamond, A. (2010). Spending time outdoors can be
therapeutic. Nursing
Standard, 24(44), 28. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/721733827?accountid=458
Gern, J. E. et. al. (2004) Effects of dog ownership and genotype
on immune development and
atopy in infancy. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology, 113 (2) 307-314
National Wildlife Federation. (2014). Health Benefits.

7. Retrieved on March 3, 2014 from
http://www.nwf.org/be-out-there/why-be-out-there/health-
benefits.aspx
Velarde, M. Nielsen, T. S. and Hansen, K. B. (2007). Beyond
blue to green: The benefits of contact with nature for mental
health and well-being. Retrieved from
http://www.hphpcentral.com