SEASONAL DIFFERENCES OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES WHEN ROOM TEMPERATURE CHANGED FROM DISCOMFORT TO NEUTRAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

We investigated the differences of physiological and psychological responses among four seasons when room temperature changed from discomfort to neutral conditions. Mean skin temperature decreased more rapidly and heart rate decreased more gradually in summer than in winter when room temperature was lowered 34→26°C. Thermal comfort in summer was related to cool sensation, while that in winter was associated to warm sensation. The physiological changes in fall and spring were between summer and winter. On the other hand, the psychological changes in fall and spring resembled those in summer and winter respectively, which showed dissociation from the physiological changes.