The Impact of Weather Conditions on Mood Variability in Geographically Relocated Versus Non-Relocated Individuals

Location

CSU 204

Start Date

23-4-2007 10:00 AM

End Date

23-4-2007 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Jeffrey A. Buchanan

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

Weather has long been regarded to influence the mundane mood of the population. A pervasive belief exists that individual's moods are heightened by warm and sunny days, whereas moods are lowered by cold and cloudy days. Previous research has provided mixed and limited results. However, a void exists in the literature in regards to how identical weather conditions impact individuals from different geographic locations. It is believed that nonindigenous individuals are more susceptible to fluctuations in mood stemming from novel weather conditions than would be indigenous individuals. Sample recruitment consisted of students attending Minnesota State University. The sample consisted of 70 life-long Minnesota residents and 25 individuals who have spent at minimum one year living outside of Minnesota. Participants completed a mood self-report measure, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, online for four consecutive weeks to determine affect levels. This data was then matched with corresponding weather data for the same time period in order to ascertain mood variability differences in response to distinct weather patterns. Between-subjects ANOVAS were utilized to determine variance in mood variability between geographic groups as measured by positive and negative affect. Variance between geographic group's affective responses to independent weather measures was additionally examined.

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Apr 23rd, 10:00 AM Apr 23rd, 12:00 PM

The Impact of Weather Conditions on Mood Variability in Geographically Relocated Versus Non-Relocated Individuals

CSU 204

Weather has long been regarded to influence the mundane mood of the population. A pervasive belief exists that individual's moods are heightened by warm and sunny days, whereas moods are lowered by cold and cloudy days. Previous research has provided mixed and limited results. However, a void exists in the literature in regards to how identical weather conditions impact individuals from different geographic locations. It is believed that nonindigenous individuals are more susceptible to fluctuations in mood stemming from novel weather conditions than would be indigenous individuals. Sample recruitment consisted of students attending Minnesota State University. The sample consisted of 70 life-long Minnesota residents and 25 individuals who have spent at minimum one year living outside of Minnesota. Participants completed a mood self-report measure, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, online for four consecutive weeks to determine affect levels. This data was then matched with corresponding weather data for the same time period in order to ascertain mood variability differences in response to distinct weather patterns. Between-subjects ANOVAS were utilized to determine variance in mood variability between geographic groups as measured by positive and negative affect. Variance between geographic group's affective responses to independent weather measures was additionally examined.

Recommended Citation

Scott, Jamie M.. "The Impact of Weather Conditions on Mood Variability in Geographically Relocated Versus Non-Relocated Individuals." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-04/7