Abstract:
The consequences of climate change are already visible, and yet, its effect on psychosocial factors, including the expression of empathy, affect, and social disconnection, is widely unknown. Outdoor conditions are expected to influence indoor conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of indoor air temperature during work hours on empathy, positive and negative affect, and social disconnection. Participants (N = 31) were exposed, in a cross-over design, to two thermal conditions in a simulated office environment. Questions on empathy and social disconnection were administered before and after the exposure to each condition, while affect was measured throughout the day. Subjective thermal sensation and objective measures of mean skin temperature were considered. The results indicated a significant difference in empathy (F(1, 24) = 5.37, p = 0.03, with an η2 = 0.126) between conditions. Participants reported increases in empathy after exposure to the warm condition compared to the cool condition, in which reductions in empathy were reported. Although the same pattern was observed for positive affect, the difference was smaller and the results were not significant. Thermal sensation had a significant effect on changes in empathy too (F(1, 54) = 7.015, p = 0.01, with an R2 = 0.115), while mean skin temperature had no effect on empathy (F(1, 6) = 0.53, p = 0.89, with an R2 = 0.81). No effects were observed for positive and negative affect and social disconnection. Longitudinal studies are needed to support these findings.
摘要:
气候变化的后果已经显而易见,然而,它对社会心理因素的影响,包括同情的表达,影响,和社会脱节,广为人知。室外条件预计会影响室内条件。因此,这项研究的目的是调查室内空气温度在工作时间对同理心的影响,积极和消极的影响,和社会脱节。参与者(N=31)暴露,在交叉设计中,模拟办公环境中的两个热条件。在暴露于每种情况之前和之后,对移情和社交脱节的问题进行了管理,而影响是全天测量的。考虑了主观热感觉和平均皮肤温度的客观测量。结果表明,不同条件之间的移情差异显着(F(1,24)=5.37,p=0.03,η2=0.126)。参与者报告说,与凉爽条件相比,暴露于温暖条件后的同理心增加,据报道,同理心减少。尽管对于积极的影响观察到相同的模式,差异较小,结果不显著。热感觉对移情变化也有显著影响(F(1,54)=7.015,p=0.01,R2=0.115),而平均皮肤温度对移情没有影响(F(1,6)=0.53,p=0.89,R2=0.81)。没有观察到正面和负面影响以及社交脱节的影响。需要纵向研究来支持这些发现。