A multidimensional approach to the relationship between mood and weather

• Published in: The British journal of psychology Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 15 - 23
• Main Authors: Howarth, E., Hoffman, M. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.1984; British Psychological Society; Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Affectivity. Emotion; Biological and medical sciences; Emotions - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Humidity; Male; Personality. Affectivity; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Sleep Stages - physiology; Sunlight; Temperature; Weather; Biometeorology; Human; Affect affectivity; Personality test; Atmospheric temperature; Environment personality relation; Psychometrics
• ISSN: 0007-1269; 2044-8295
• DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1984.tb02785.x

Ten mood variables were related to eight weather variables in a multidimensional study. Data were collected from 24 male subjects over 11 consecutive days. The mood variables were as follows: concentration, cooperation, anxiety, potency, aggression, depression, sleepiness, scepticism, control, and optimism. The weather variables included: hours of sunshine, precipitation, temperature, wind direction, wind velocity, humidity, change in barometric pressure and absolute barometric pressure. Humidity, temperature and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on mood. High levels of humidity lowered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness. Rising temperatures lowered anxiety and scepticism mood scores. Humidity was the most significant predictor in regression and canonical correlation analysis. Implications for school and office performance are discussed which highlight the importance of humidity as a weather variable.