Write a short note on ecological psychology.

Ecological psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the relationship between individuals and their environment, emphasizing the importance of context, perception, and action in shaping behavior and cognition. Developed by James J. Gibson in the mid-20th century, ecological psychology proposes that perception is direct and ecological, meaning that it is based on the information available in the environment and the affordances it offers for action.

Central to ecological psychology is the concept of affordances, which refers to the possibilities for action that the environment provides to an individual. Ecological psychologists study how individuals perceive and interact with their surroundings, exploring topics such as perception-action coupling, spatial navigation, and environmental perception.

Ecological psychology highlights the dynamic interplay between organisms and their environment, emphasizing the role of perception-action systems in shaping behavior and cognition. By studying behavior in naturalistic settings and considering the ecological context in which it occurs, ecological psychology offers insights into the adaptive nature of human behavior and the complex interactions between individuals and their surroundings.