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Subtle variation in ambient room temperature influences the expression of social cognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2013

Jacob M. Vigil
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161. vigilJ@unm.eduhttp://psych.unm.edu/people/directory-profiles/jacob-m.-vigil.htmllnrowell@unm.edu
Tyler J. Swartz
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224-2673. tjs03e@gmail.com
Lauren N. Rowell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM 87131-1161. vigilJ@unm.eduhttp://psych.unm.edu/people/directory-profiles/jacob-m.-vigil.htmllnrowell@unm.edu

Abstract

Social signaling models predict that subtle variation in climatic temperature induces systematic changes in expressed cognition. An experiment showed that perceived room temperature was associated with variability in self-descriptions, social reactions of others, and desiring differing types of social networks. The findings reflect the tendency to inflate capacity demonstrations in warmer climates as a result of the social networking opportunities they enable.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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