The Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model is widely used in the field of ecological and environmental research at home and abroad, but less attention is paid to the appropriateness and scientificity of the selection of the model indicators. This leads to a variety of problems in the practical application of the model, such as the mechanical application and misuses. This study presented a review and analysis of more than 100 domestic and international literature on the application of PSR models. The results show that: (1) The essence of the PSR model is an assessment of adaptation, reaction and response to human-land relations. Pressure is more a result of the way and intensity of human activity on natural resources. State is the change of the ecological environment in a specific period of time, which is the "qualitative" and "quantitative" expression of the ecological environment under the pressure of human activities. Response is an institutional and operational arrangement that seeks to harmonize human-land relations. The PSR indicator selection is appropriate to fit. (2) At present, there are four main deficiencies in the application of PSR models at home and abroad, including Endogeneity, Vectority, Indexicality, and Pertinence. In particular, Endogeneity is reflected in the omission of important variables; associativity bias; and self-selection bias. Vectority is reflected in the researcher's own neglect of the directionality of the indicators; the possible inversion of the positive and negative indicators; and the threshold effect of the indicator itself. Indexicality is reflected in the fact that the "Pressure" variable indicators are not effective in indicating human pressures on ecosystems; the "State" variable indicators are not effective in indicating the timely state of ecosystems; and the "Response" variable indicators are not effective in indicating human society responses. Pertinence is reflected in the relevance of different scientific issues and the specificity of different research subjects. (3) Neglecting the directionality of research objectives, the relevance of scientific questions, the specificity of research objects, the complexity of human-land relations, and the subjectivity of researchers are the main factors causing the traps in the application of PSR models. Finally, this paper mainly focused on the dual aspects of internal control and external reference, combined with comprehensive and systematic thinking about the research topic, discipline integration, indicator innovation and other specific ways, to put forward the optimization and improvement path of the PSR model in order to provide references for the theoretical empirical and practical application of PSR in the field of ecology and environment.