Too hot to help! Exploring the impact of ambient temperature on helping

Abstract

Building on the conservation of resources model, we conducted three studies to explore the link between ambient temperature and individual prosocial behavior. In study 1, analyzing the two‐wave field data from a chain of retail stores in Eastern Europe, we find that, in hot, as opposed to normal temperatures, employees are less likely to act in a prosocial manner. In study 2, we replicate and extend these findings in a randomized controlled experiment by identifying mechanisms underlying the relationship between hot ambient temperature and helping behavior. Specifically, we find that heat increases fatigue that leads to reduction in positive affect and subsequently reduces individual helping. Finally, in study 3, we replicate these findings in a field experiment. Taken together, our study helps to explain how and through what mechanisms ambient temperature influences individual helping. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

The Invisible Leash: The Impact of Organizational Expectations for Email Monitoring After-Hours on Employee Resources, Well-Being, and Turnover Intentions

“…Emerging research on the effects of mindfulness on employee well-being and organizational functioning clearly demonstrates the importance of mindfulness for restoring individual emotional, cognitive, and physical states, as well as for individual performance and organizational functioning (for a review, see Good et al, 2016). Furthermore, pursuing activities that individuals enjoy generates positive emotions (such as joy, happiness, excitement, and gratitude, among others), buffering effects of which are critical for replenishing lost emotional and cognitive resources, counteracting fatigue and negative emotions, while also having a positive effect on attitudes and work-related behaviors, such as helping individuals to successfully bounce from adverse events, increase cognitive performance, or promote organizational citizenship behaviors (e.g., Belkin & Kouchaki, 2017; Butts et al, 2015; Fredrickson et al, 2000).…”

Temperature and outgroup discrimination

“…Vasopressin-mediated behavioral responses can be triggered by heat stress in animal models and circulating levels of vasopressin have been shown to have antipyretic properties (Yong-Lu and Gordon, 2002), suggesting a biological basis for ingroup bias triggered by heat exposure. 3 As temperatures rise above a threshold that generates physical stress and discomfort, this stress causes physiological changes that could result in ingroup bias and it increases the costs of helping others (Belkin and Kouchaki, 2017). We hypothesize that when helping behavior requires physical exertion, higher temperatures will reduce helping rates as individuals conserve resources to cope with physical stress; but we expect help toward outgroup members to decline by more than help to ingroup members.…”

Introduction to eco-efficient materials for reducing cooling needs in buildings and construction

“…The negative impacts of extreme heat, which are more acute in urban areas, include health risks, higher concentrations of pollutants ( Meehl et al, 2018 ), lower water quality, and decrease in labor productivity. Ironically, Belkin and Kouchaki (2017) even found that heat increases fatigue, which leads to reduction in positive affect, subsequently reducing individual helping. Also, those most affected are the most vulnerable groups among the urban dwellers: the elderly, the individuals with preexisting chronic conditions, communities with weak socioeconomic status, people with mental disorders, and isolated individuals ( Smid et al, 2019 ).…”