On the one hand, the heat, on the other, the struggle to keep warm in homes and workplaces in winter. The climate in Poland is demanding, and as it turns out, the outside temperature affects how we behave and how we process information. In this article, we will show the results of a study on the importance of temperature on human cognitive processes. We will also define what cognitive functioning is. Finally, we will suggest what to take care of to maintain the right temperature in summer and winter.
What is cognitive functioning?
We learn about the world through our senses. However, we would not be able to process all the information that we receive from all our organs. To make it easier for us to understand the world, we use cognitive processes – including attention, perception and memory. Thanks to attention, we focus only on the important elements of reality, and we ignore the remaining stimuli. You will certainly focus on this text now, perhaps you are also doing a simple activity like drinking tea. However, you are certainly not aware of what is happening outside the window – a gust of wind or cars driving on the road are ignored by attention because they are not needed for the current activity.
In turn, perception somehow connects the elements into a whole and helps us create a personal representation of the world. It allows us to define (categorize) what we see, hear or feel, in order to be able to react to it in an adequate way at a later time.
Memory enables us to store information that has passed through the sieve of attention for a longer period of time.Thanks to this, we can process it (e.g. think about it) even after it has disappeared from our field of vision. Memory enables us to plan, speeds up perception and solve problems.
The importance of cognitive processes in everyday life and at work
Good functioning of cognitive processes is therefore essential for everyday functioning and for work in any position. Their poorer functioning due to disorders or age means that we are less able to cope with activities that require divided attention, we forget about what we have to do. That is why we should take care of their quality, for example by reading books, solving crosswords, or even through planned cognitive training.
However, our attention, memory or perception levels can also deteriorate in the conditions in which we function. One of the aspects being studied is the functioning of cognitive processes at different temperatures. Let’s take a look at how it looks.
Cold temperature and our cognitive functioning
Palinkas’s [1] research on the effects of cold on human cognitive abilities has shown that low temperatures can significantly affect cognitive performance. This is especially true for tasks requiring complex processing, thinking, and short-term memory. Contact with cold leads to an increase in the number of errors and a longer reaction time, especially in tasks involving alertness, reasoning, and memory. In people exposed to cold, it has been found that prolonged contact with low temperatures can lead to a decrease in cognitive functions, even without a significant drop in body temperature. This means that even if we are well dressed but stay in a room where it is cold (e.g. below zero), over time we will function worse and worse in terms of cognition.
Furthermore, cold can also lead to decreased motivation and increased negative emotions, which further impairs concentration and emergency reactions. The mechanisms of this effect may include both distraction and increased arousal, which disrupts the normal processing of information in the brain. It is worth noting that in laboratory studies, a greater effect of cold is often observed on high-complexity tasks, while simple tasks are less susceptible to deterioration.
And what about high temperatures?
High temperature and cognitive processes
High temperature, like cold, has a significant impact on human cognitive processes and emotions. Exposure to heat, especially in extreme conditions, can lead to a decrease in cognitive abilities, especially in the area of attention, reaction time and executive functions, i.e. those that allow us to control our own behavior. Overheating the body can cause fatigue, disorientation and problems with concentration, which affects overall mental performance. Long-term contact with high temperatures can also lead to an increase in stress, irritation and aggression, which additionally impairs the ability to make rational decisions. In extreme cases, cognitive disorders such as hallucinations or fainting can occur, which threatens health and safety.
We don’t usually deal with extremely high temperatures on a daily basis. However, as it turns out, even relatively small differences in temperature have an impact on our cognitive functioning. A study has shown this.
The Shanghai Experiment
A group of scientists led by Lan [2] wanted to check the effect of air temperature (24°C, 26°C, 28°C) on cognitive abilities. The study was conducted in an air-conditioned office, with the participation of 36 students. The experiments lasted 4.5 hours and included various cognitive tasks and physiological measurements such as skin temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability and oxygen saturation. Participants also assessed thermal comfort, air quality and perceived health symptoms. The results showed that higher temperatures (26°C and 28°C) significantly reduced the participants’ cognitive performance compared to 24°C, although thermal comfort was maintained. The average cognitive performance decreased by 10% at 26°C and by 6% at 28°C. Additionally, at higher temperatures, participants reported more fatigue and rated their workload level higher.
What follows from this?
The study suggests that optimal cognitive performance is achieved in an environment of around 21°C – 24°C. The results indicate that in places where mental performance is a priority, it is worth providing cool working conditions. In addition, the use of ventilation or ceiling fans can mitigate the negative impact of elevated temperatures on cognitive performance and health. Of course, it is not worth overdoing it with air conditioning, and in winter, heat the rooms well to ensure that work is performed at the highest level.
Thermal insulation coatings
We cannot forget about proper thermal insulation and modern methods that allow for insulation and improvement of thermal comfort, i.e. thermal insulation coatings. It is also worth emphasizing that they also reflect the sun’s rays, which is especially useful on hot days.
Want to buy paint or thermal insulation? Visit our online store.
Want to know more about thermal insulation coatings? Read:
What instead of styrofoam? Thermal insulation paint – how to choose it?
For your health! Or, how thermal insulation paint can improve your well-being!
Sources:
[1] Palinkas, L. A. (2001). Mental and cognitive performance in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 60(3), 430-439. [2] Lan, L., Tang, J., Wargocki, P., Wyon, D. P., & Lian, Z. (2021). Cognitive performance was reduced by higher air temperature even when thermal comfort was maintained over the 24–28°C range. Indoor Air, 31(2), 492-506.
