Daylight's influence beyond our eyes: Investigating the mediating role of mood in cognitive performance in a sunlit workplace

Mohamed Boubekri, Nora Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation of the mediating roles of mood and perception in subjects' cognitive performance in a daylit workplace. We hypothesized that various daylighting conditions would be affective sources that convey emotional meanings to room occupants and thus affect their behaviors. We carried out a series of controlled experiments in a sunlit work setting. Between-subject comparisons among ten groups, seated at different spots in a sunlit room, suggested that both lighting and non-lighting factors simultaneously influence subjects' mood, which was correlated to their performance. Moderate amounts of sunlight and view, together with a sense of control and privacy, positively affected subjects' mood, which was negatively affected by the increased difficulty of assigned cognitive tasks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)37-50
Number of pages14
JournalLight and Engineering
Volume20
Issue number4
StatePublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Daylight
  • Daylighting
  • Human behavioral response
  • Human behaviors
  • Mood
  • Perception
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • Visual system

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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