Environment’s Effect on Performance and Social Behavior

Environmental changes not only affect our health but also the way we behave and perform in our daily activities. The most researched are the effects of temperature and light on our performance and social behavior.

Temperature and Performance

Research has shown when people are exposed for as little as 2 hours to temperatures above 32°C, they will show impaired mental performance, however physical performance suffers after being exposed for as little as 1 hour.

Another study was also carried out in schools with and without air conditioning and it concluded that test scores showed less variance in air conditioned schools compared to the schools without air conditioning. (Pepler, 1972)

Studies conducted in workplace found out that when exposed to high temperatures, without acclimatization, workers experience dehydration, loss of salts and muscle fatigue which eventually results in impaired performance.

Temperature and Social Behavior

Studies generally support the belief that increased temperature has an increased aggression. For example, Baron (1976) found that when the temperature was above 29°C, more people honked horns, except for the drivers in air conditioned vehicles.

A study also found that when participants left an uncomfortable environment, they were less willing to volunteer their assistance than the participants who left a much more comfortable environment. (Page, 1978)

It is also suggested that when environmental stress is not shared by someone, attraction decreases but if someone is there to share the environmental stress there is no decrease in the attraction. (Rotton,1983)

Light and Performance

The brightness of light, timing of exposure and type of light affects the performance at work and school. A study was carried out to measure a hand steadiness task under cool white and daylight bulbs and it was found out that children who worked under daylight bulbs made fewer errors. (Munson and Ferguson, 1985)

Campbell and Dawson (1990) support the above study that employees who worked in bright light performed their best.

Light and Social Behavior

Gergen et al. (1973) found in his experimental study that students in the room where lights were on, moved around less, conversation was continuous for much longer and there was much less touching. However, in the darkened rooms there was less conversation, students moved around more and 80% reported feeling sexual excitement. A study also found out that greater the natural light the greater the helping behavior. (Cunningham, 1979)

It is always important to keep in mind the effects of environmental changes on ones psychological well being as well because it in turn eventually leads to success of a nation.

The article is written by “Shumaila Javed Bhatti” senior author of envirocivil.com

About Shumaila Javed Bhatti

• Minister Environment for Peace Parliament Pakistan (2011) • Chief Editor Environmental Watch Pakistan • Chairperson Environmental Watch Forum Pakistan • Information Secretary Green Society International Islamic University • Ambassador WWF-Pakistan • Senior Author at Envirocivil.com • Freelance Columnist student at International Islamic University Islambad

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