Students in Good Mood Appear Slower and Less Accurate: A Pilot Study Investigating Dynamic Lighting Impact on Students’ Perception and Performance

Abstract

Dynamic daylight can provide stimulation throughout the day. Since not all building spaces have access to enough daylight, electric lighting solutions can help substituting. The study investigated the effect of two opposite, daily dynamic light patterns to influence students' mood and performance. In a mimicked open office space, 20 second-year students participated in a pilot study where they were exposed to light patterns changing in illuminance level over a day and filled out momentary assessments five times. Hierarchical Linear Models were employed to analyse the effect of light level as well as the timing of the exposure. Positive effects are shown for mood, but only for the pattern with a high morning light level. An afternoon boost may come too late to exert benefits. There are indications for performance-enhancing effects by use of dynamic light conditions, even though students seem to be slower and less accurate when in good mood.