The Strange Effects of Weather on Human Behaviour

STRANGE EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON HUMAN BEHAVIOUR HOT WEATHER VIOLENCE It's been suggested that increased temperatures can lead to a rise in the occurrence of violent crimes. Some attribute this to a greater level of discomfort causing aggressive behaviour, whereas others believe it's simply a matter of more people being out and about during warmer weather, and therefore, there are more potential victims. GAMBLING Itt's been suggested that we're more likely to gamble on days when the weather is sunny, particularly if the sunshine is unexpected. The phenomenon is said to occur because the good weather causes feelings of excitement which then leads us to take riskier bets. INCREASE IN TRUST The brain's insular cortex is responsible for our social decisions and feelings of trust, and is stimulated by physical warmth and pleasure. Therefore, when we're exposed to warmer temperatures, we are likely to be more trusting of those around us. This theory has been supported in many experiments whereby the difference of a hot drink or ice pack has resulted in different levels of trust in the participants. BIRTH RATES Research has found that there is actually a strong correlation between higher temperatures and reduced birth rates nine months later. Following the publication of these results, there has been growing concern over the effects of global warming on our population levels. GENEROSITY It's been suggested that warmer temperatures will tend to make people more generous in their day-to-day lives, as it improves our moods and encourages us to be more helpful. One study tested the effects of sunlight on a driver's willingness to pick up hitchhikers. The results showed that people were much more likely to offer help to the hitchhikers on sunny days than they were when it was cloudy. HOT & COLD WEATHER ALTERED JUDGEMENT It's claimed that hot and cold temperatures can influence the way we judge others. One study found that in a criminal trial, the temperature of the room had a direct effect on the jury's perception of the criminal on trial. In cold rooms, they were more likely to see criminals as cold-blooded offenders whose crimes were prearranged. COLD WEATHER PREFERENCE FOR ROMANCE Research has found that when we feel physically cold, we're more likely to seek psychological warmth. Researchers manipulated the room temperatures of participants and then asked them to pick out a movie. There was a significant correlation between being in the colder conditions and choosing to watch a romantic film. SEASONAL WEATHER SUICIDE Although winter is the time when most of us will experience a dip in our mood due to the change in weather and sunlight, it's actually during late spring to early summer when we'll tend to see a spike in suicide and self-harm. Although there is no definitive explanation behind this, many believe it is to do with the increased interaction which occurs during these seasons, triggering more suicidal thoughts. SAD (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER) Seasonal affective disorder is a depressive illness which is commonly attributed to the lack of sunlight during winter. Symptoms of this disorder are associated with a craving to hibernate, overeat and oversleep. SAD is actually a relatively uncommon condition, but even people who do not suffer from this illness can commonly experience drops in their mood levels and happiness during the winter months or in colder climates. EXTREME WEATHER INCREASE IN EMPATHY From small gestures, such as donating to homeless shelters during the harshest days of winter, to the more extreme examples of stepping out in a severe storm to rescue someone in need. Acts of empathy, kindness and communal spirit are often drawn out of people when they suffer the shared hardships which can occur as a result of more extreme weather conditions. MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS People who live in high-risk areas for extreme weather events can experience serious mental health problems including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, due to both the actual event and the aftermath. It's been suggested that global warming could have a significant impact on mental health, including increased stress, substance abuse, anxiety related disorders and even suicides. FULL MOON CRIME RATES Some believe that the presence of a full moon can cause certain irregular behaviour amongst humans and animals. Studies of crime rates have often found links between full-moon days and spikes in crime. There were even plans within the UK to put extra officers on the streets during full moons to counteract this increased anti-social behaviour. GB Sources: www.livescience.com www.huffingtonpost.com energy supply www.dailymail.co.uk www.theguardian.com www.gbenergysupply.co.uk 000 000