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Environment and Behavior
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Predictors of Ideas about Seasonal Psychological Fluctuations

Tim Brennen

University of Oslo, Norway

Catherine Hall

Bas Verplanken

University of Tromsø, Norway

Julia Nunn

Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London

This article reports a study of attitudes and beliefs about seasonal psychological cycles in a sample of 160 people living in London. Participants rated their perceptions of seasonal fluctuations on cognitive, emotional, physical, and social functioning in themselves, in others at the same latitude, and in the Arctic population by means of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire and a specially designed questionnaire. They also completed a test of astronomical knowledge, a test of knowledge about seasonal affective disorder, and an instrument measuring the Big Five personality dimensions. Seasonal mood swings correlated positively with SAD knowledge and extraversion and negatively with the respondents’ emotional stability and knowledge of astronomy. Perception of seasonal change in others appeared to be mediated by their perceptions of their own seasonal fluctuations. Generally, participants did not have unwarranted negative predictions about the impact of the annual cycle on psychological swings in the Arctic.

Key Words: seasons • psychological functioning • seasonal affective disorder • Arctic • personality

Environment and Behavior, Vol. 37, No. 2, 220-236 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0013916504269648
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