The impact of lighting on mood

Reports of the effects of lighting on mood are mainly at an anecdotal level There is little by way of empirical support and the existing evidence is problematic and contradictory. This experimental study shows that there are systematic influences of lighting on mood from lighting parameters within the range of those encountered in everyday interior conditions. The nature of the lighting effects is complex and is best summarised as initial effects and longer-term effects. Initial effects link illuminance with sensation seeking and correlated colour temperature (ccr) with hostility. Longer-term effects involve complex interactions between gender, illuminance and CCT. The results are consistent with Küller's proposal for short-term and long-term lighting effects.