IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i19p10530-d651417.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Spacious Environments Make Us Tolerant—The Role of Emotion and Metaphor

Author

Listed:
  • Chenjing Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Fuqun Liang

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Xiaoling Liang

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Chuangbing Huang

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Hua Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Xianyou He

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Wei Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Don Rojas

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1876, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Yan Duan

    (Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

Abstract

The physical environment plays an important role in moral cognition. Previous research has demonstrated that the physical environment affects individual moral judgment. Investigators have argued that the environment influences moral judgment through emotion and cognition, such as during metaphor processing. Following the intensification of urbanization and increases in population size, the phenomenon of a narrow environment has become more common. However, the relation between environmental spaciousness and moral judgment has not been thoroughly examined. We examined the effect of environmental spaciousness (spaciousness vs. narrowness) on moral judgments in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Results showed that participants report a higher rating score of moral judgment in more spacious environments compared with narrow environments. We further explored the roles of emotion and metaphor in the relation between environmental spaciousness and moral judgments. We found support for a partial mediation effect of emotion in the relationship between environmental spaciousness and moral judgment. The results also supported an association between the concept of spaciousness and tolerant cognition. Spacious environments may elicit positive emotions and more tolerant cognition, which in turn influences moral judgment. These results provide new evidence for the influence of the environment on moral judgments, and more attention may be warranted to incorporate this relationship in environmental design.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenjing Wu & Fuqun Liang & Xiaoling Liang & Chuangbing Huang & Hua Wang & Xianyou He & Wei Zhang & Don Rojas & Yan Duan, 2021. "Spacious Environments Make Us Tolerant—The Role of Emotion and Metaphor," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10530-:d:651417
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10530/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10530/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hongxia Li & Xue Wang & Yafei Guo & Zhansheng Chen & Fei Teng, 2019. "Air Pollution Predicts Harsh Moral Judgment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Joan Meyers-Levy & Rui (Juliet) Zhu, 2007. "The Influence of Ceiling Height: The Effect of Priming on the Type of Processing That People Use," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 34(2), pages 174-186, June.
    3. Chenjing Wu & Xianyou He, 2021. "Environmental Aesthetic Value Influences the Intention for Moral Behavior: Changes in Behavioral Moral Judgment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Huie Li & Chang You & Jin Li & Mei Li & Min Tan & Guanfei Zhang & Yiping Zhong, 2022. "Influence of Environmental Aesthetic Value and Anticipated Emotion on Pro-Environmental Behavior: An ERP Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Xiaojia Liu & Xi Chen & Yan Huang & Weihong Wang & Mingkan Zhang & Yang Jin, 2023. "Landscape Aesthetic Value of Waterfront Green Space Based on Space–Psychology–Behavior Dimension: A Case Study along Qiantang River (Hangzhou Section)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Li, Yi-Na & Li, Yan & Chen, Haipeng (Allan) & Wei, Jiuchang, 2023. "How verbal and non-verbal cues in a CEO apology for a corporate crisis affect a firm’s social disapproval," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    4. Yu-Shan Athena Chen & Lien-Ti Bei, 2019. "Free the brand: How a logo frame influences the potentiality of brand extensions," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(4), pages 349-364, July.
    5. JinHyo Joseph Yun & Xiaofei Zhao & Tan Yigitcanlar & DooSeok Lee & HeungJu Ahn, 2018. "Architectural Design and Open Innovation Symbiosis: Insights from Research Campuses, Manufacturing Systems, and Innovation Districts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Sanghee Kim & Hyejin Park & Seungyeon Choo, 2021. "Effects of Changes to Architectural Elements on Human Relaxation-Arousal Responses: Based on VR and EEG," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-28, April.
    7. Haghbayan Sara & Malek Mohammad Reza & Tashayo Behnam, 2020. "Visual Description of the Indoor Space of Real Estate in Crowd-Sourcing Environments," Real Estate Management and Valuation, Sciendo, vol. 28(3), pages 91-103, September.
    8. Chenjing Wu & Xianyou He, 2021. "Environmental Aesthetic Value Influences the Intention for Moral Behavior: Changes in Behavioral Moral Judgment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Izadi, Anoosha & Rudd, Melanie & Patrick, Vanessa M., 2019. "The Way the Wind Blows: Direction of Airflow Energizes Consumers and Fuels Creative Engagement," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 95(4), pages 143-157.
    10. Kelting, Katie & Berry, Christopher & van Horen, Femke, 2019. "The presence of copycat private labels in a product set increases consumers' choice ease when shopping with an abstract mindset," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 264-274.
    11. Yanfei Zhu & Yuli Wang & Ying Li & Xiaoxi Du & Qi Guo & Mo Chen & Yun Lin, 2022. "The Construction of Image Reference Points and Text Appeals Information Tailoring in Promoting Diners’ Public Environment Maintenance Behavior Intention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, November.
    12. Valerie L. Bartelt & Alan R. Dennis & Lingyao Yuan & Jordan B. Barlow, 2013. "Individual Priming in Virtual Team Decision-Making," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 873-896, September.
    13. Sumitra Auschaitrakul & Dan King & Yanfen You, 2024. "From physical space to mental space: feelings of being physically constrained increase consumer preference for mind-expanding products," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 35(2), pages 231-242, June.
    14. Logkizidou, Maria & Bottomley, Paul & Angell, Rob & Evanschitzky, Heiner, 2019. "Why Museological Merchandise Displays Enhance Luxury Product Evaluations: An Extended Art Infusion Effect," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 95(1), pages 67-82.
    15. Anbang Dai & Jiajie Zou & Junru Wang & Nai Ding & Hiroatsu Fukuda, 2022. "Aesthetic judgment of architecture for Chinese observers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-8, April.
    16. Helmefalk, Miralem & Hultén, Bertil, 2017. "Multi-sensory congruent cues in designing retail store atmosphere: Effects on shoppers’ emotions and purchase behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-11.
    17. Wang, Lili & You, Yanfen & Yang, Chun-Ming, 2020. "Restrained by resources: The effect of scarcity cues and childhood socioeconomic status (SES) on consumer preference for feasibility," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 557-571.
    18. Selin Atalay, A. & Onur Bodur, H. & Bressoud, Etienne, 2017. "When and How Multitasking Impacts Consumer Shopping Decisions," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 93(2), pages 187-200.
    19. Stillman, Paul E. & Fujita, Kentaro & Sheldon, Oliver & Trope, Yaacov, 2018. "From “me” to “we”: The role of construal level in promoting maximized joint outcomes," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 16-25.
    20. Jia Li & Rachel McCrary, 2022. "Consumer communications and current events: a cross-cultural study of the change in consumer response to company social media posts due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(2), pages 173-183, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10530-:d:651417. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.