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| New York Today: How Warm Weather Affects Our Behavior | New York Today: How Warm Weather Affects Our Behavior |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Updated, 7:12 a.m. | |
| Good morning on this beautiful Friday. | Good morning on this beautiful Friday. |
| This week, we’ve observed some odd behavior for February: people sunbathing in Washington Square Park, passers-by in shorts sipping iced coffee and commuters lining up near empty Citi Bike racks. | |
| Which got us thinking: How does warm weather affect our behavior? | Which got us thinking: How does warm weather affect our behavior? |
| “Studies have shown that pleasant weather is associated with a few positive shifts in behavior,” said Vinita Mehta, a clinical psychologist practicing in Washington. | “Studies have shown that pleasant weather is associated with a few positive shifts in behavior,” said Vinita Mehta, a clinical psychologist practicing in Washington. |
| We asked her to guide us through some of the research. | We asked her to guide us through some of the research. |
| How does behavior change when the weather is more pleasant? | How does behavior change when the weather is more pleasant? |
| We may be more helpful. | We may be more helpful. |
| In a 2013 study, four research assistants posed as hitchhikers on a roadside in France. Researchers analyzed drivers’ behavior in 2,864 hitchhiking cases, noting if the weather was sunny or cloudy. Drivers were more inclined to stop on sunny days, the study found. “When people are in a positive mood, everything looks brighter, and we’re more open to people and situations,” Dr. Mehta said. | In a 2013 study, four research assistants posed as hitchhikers on a roadside in France. Researchers analyzed drivers’ behavior in 2,864 hitchhiking cases, noting if the weather was sunny or cloudy. Drivers were more inclined to stop on sunny days, the study found. “When people are in a positive mood, everything looks brighter, and we’re more open to people and situations,” Dr. Mehta said. |
| We may spend more money. | We may spend more money. |
| A 2010 study on retail sales found that as exposure to sunlight increased, consumer spending also tended to increase. “In general terms, pleasant weather puts us in a better mood,” Dr. Mehta said. The inverse can also be true, she said: “If a person goes into a store and evaluates a product on a day that’s not as nice, the evaluation won’t be as positive.” | A 2010 study on retail sales found that as exposure to sunlight increased, consumer spending also tended to increase. “In general terms, pleasant weather puts us in a better mood,” Dr. Mehta said. The inverse can also be true, she said: “If a person goes into a store and evaluates a product on a day that’s not as nice, the evaluation won’t be as positive.” |
| It may elevate our mood. | It may elevate our mood. |
| Participants in a 2008 study in Germany kept a daily journal of their well-being, while data from nearby weather stations was collected. The researchers found that some negative moods decreased with sunlight and better weather. “What’s really interesting here,” Dr. Mehta said, “is that the researchers found that not only sunlight, but weather conditions like wind, can affect your mood as well.” | Participants in a 2008 study in Germany kept a daily journal of their well-being, while data from nearby weather stations was collected. The researchers found that some negative moods decreased with sunlight and better weather. “What’s really interesting here,” Dr. Mehta said, “is that the researchers found that not only sunlight, but weather conditions like wind, can affect your mood as well.” |
| It may put us in the mood for love. | It may put us in the mood for love. |
| In a 2013 study, a 20-year-old male research assistant stopped unaccompanied young women, chatted with them and asked for their telephone numbers during sunny or cloudy weather. The women were more likely to give their numbers on a sunny day, the findings showed. “It lends some evidence that ‘spring flings’ or ‘spring fever’ could be a real thing,” Dr. Mehta said. | In a 2013 study, a 20-year-old male research assistant stopped unaccompanied young women, chatted with them and asked for their telephone numbers during sunny or cloudy weather. The women were more likely to give their numbers on a sunny day, the findings showed. “It lends some evidence that ‘spring flings’ or ‘spring fever’ could be a real thing,” Dr. Mehta said. |
| “Of course,” she added, “with all of these studies, we would need more evidence to prove their findings.” | “Of course,” she added, “with all of these studies, we would need more evidence to prove their findings.” |
| Can nice weather make us leave our apartments and be more productive? | Can nice weather make us leave our apartments and be more productive? |
| “Well, when the weather is good, people are out and excited to be outside. We don’t know if good weather is getting people outside, and that in turn is putting them in a better mood,” Dr. Mehta said. But she added that a growing body of research suggests that being outdoors and close to nature affects people positively. | “Well, when the weather is good, people are out and excited to be outside. We don’t know if good weather is getting people outside, and that in turn is putting them in a better mood,” Dr. Mehta said. But she added that a growing body of research suggests that being outdoors and close to nature affects people positively. |
| So, in light of all this research, allow us to reach a simple conclusion: Get outside. It’s going to be 68 and sunny. | So, in light of all this research, allow us to reach a simple conclusion: Get outside. It’s going to be 68 and sunny. |
| Here’s what else is happening: | Here’s what else is happening: |
| • Murder in the 4-0: A scuffle over a case of beer ended with an aspiring rapper being shot dead and an expectant father in jail. [New York Times] | • Murder in the 4-0: A scuffle over a case of beer ended with an aspiring rapper being shot dead and an expectant father in jail. [New York Times] |
| • Mayor Bill de Blasio will meet today with federal prosecutors and F.B.I. agents who have been investigating his campaign fund-raising for nearly a year. [New York Times] | • Mayor Bill de Blasio will meet today with federal prosecutors and F.B.I. agents who have been investigating his campaign fund-raising for nearly a year. [New York Times] |
| • A woman was arrested on charges of animal cruelty after officials found signs that her pit bulls had been used in dogfighting. [New York Times] | • A woman was arrested on charges of animal cruelty after officials found signs that her pit bulls had been used in dogfighting. [New York Times] |
| • Immigrants fear the possibility of deportation under President Trump. [New York Times] | • Immigrants fear the possibility of deportation under President Trump. [New York Times] |
| • City schools will keep transgender bathroom rules in place, despite Mr. Trump’s decision to to rescind protections. [DNAinfo] | • City schools will keep transgender bathroom rules in place, despite Mr. Trump’s decision to to rescind protections. [DNAinfo] |
| • ... And a transgender-rights rally took place by the Stonewall Inn on Thursday evening. [Gothamist] | • ... And a transgender-rights rally took place by the Stonewall Inn on Thursday evening. [Gothamist] |
| • Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is upping his anti-hate crime efforts. [New York State of Politics] | • Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is upping his anti-hate crime efforts. [New York State of Politics] |
| • Under Mayor de Blasio, more people than ever are eligible for help at homeless shelters. [WNYC] | • Under Mayor de Blasio, more people than ever are eligible for help at homeless shelters. [WNYC] |
| • Confused by the back-and-forth over the 5-cent bag fee, some businesses actually instituted the rule. [Staten Island Advance] | • Confused by the back-and-forth over the 5-cent bag fee, some businesses actually instituted the rule. [Staten Island Advance] |
| • Three years in, a look at the mayor’s “Vision Zero” campaign. [Streetsblog N.Y.C.] | • Three years in, a look at the mayor’s “Vision Zero” campaign. [Streetsblog N.Y.C.] |
| • Thousands of people have been arrested recently for turnstile-jumping. [DNAinfo] | • Thousands of people have been arrested recently for turnstile-jumping. [DNAinfo] |
| • Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Mugged on Pizza Night” | • Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Mugged on Pizza Night” |
| • Scoreboard: Islanders can Canadiens, 3-0. Rangers crumple Maple Leafs, 2-1. Cavaliers command Knicks, 119-104. | • Scoreboard: Islanders can Canadiens, 3-0. Rangers crumple Maple Leafs, 2-1. Cavaliers command Knicks, 119-104. |
| • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Friday Briefing. | • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Friday Briefing. |
| • Children can search for fossils and see reptiles up close at the Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 11 a.m. [$8] | • Children can search for fossils and see reptiles up close at the Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 11 a.m. [$8] |
| • Music, dance lessons and tours of the exhibition “Love in Venice” are all part of the new Library After Hours events at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown. 6:30 to 9 p.m. [Free] | • Music, dance lessons and tours of the exhibition “Love in Venice” are all part of the new Library After Hours events at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown. 6:30 to 9 p.m. [Free] |
| • Sacred and profane: A screening of “The Odd Couple” at St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free] | • Sacred and profane: A screening of “The Odd Couple” at St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan. 7 p.m. [Free] |
| • The weekend-long Cinema Tropical Festival, presenting films from across Latin America, kicks off with a screening of “Tempestad” at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. 7 p.m. [$15] | • The weekend-long Cinema Tropical Festival, presenting films from across Latin America, kicks off with a screening of “Tempestad” at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. 7 p.m. [$15] |
| • Walk the line to a “Johnny Cash Birthday Bash” at Littlefield in Gowanus, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. [$15] | • Walk the line to a “Johnny Cash Birthday Bash” at Littlefield in Gowanus, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. [$15] |
| • Nets at Nuggets, 9 p.m. (YES). | • Nets at Nuggets, 9 p.m. (YES). |
| Saturday | Saturday |
| • Demonstrations by scientists, guided tours and workshops, part of Kids Week, at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Midtown. 10 a.m. [Adults $26, children $19] | • Demonstrations by scientists, guided tours and workshops, part of Kids Week, at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Midtown. 10 a.m. [Adults $26, children $19] |
| • Hear the stories of distinguished African-Americans while touring their graves at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. 11 a.m. [$35] | • Hear the stories of distinguished African-Americans while touring their graves at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. 11 a.m. [$35] |
| • The director of the organization Gotham Whale talks about the whales in the New York Harbor area, at Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 1 p.m. [Free] | • The director of the organization Gotham Whale talks about the whales in the New York Harbor area, at Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 1 p.m. [Free] |
| • A program of one-act plays, including Langston Hughes’s “Soul Gone Home,” at the Bronx Library Center Auditorium. 2:30 p.m. [Free] | • A program of one-act plays, including Langston Hughes’s “Soul Gone Home,” at the Bronx Library Center Auditorium. 2:30 p.m. [Free] |
| • Sample cured meats at Charcuterie Masters, a competition by creators of salami, pâté and bacon, at Flushing Town Hall in Queens. 6 p.m. [Tickets start at $60] | • Sample cured meats at Charcuterie Masters, a competition by creators of salami, pâté and bacon, at Flushing Town Hall in Queens. 6 p.m. [Tickets start at $60] |
| • Islanders at Blue Jackets, 5 p.m. (MS+2). Knicks host 76ers, 7:30 p.m. (MSG). Nets at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (YES). Rangers at Devils, 5 p.m. (MSG, MSG+). | • Islanders at Blue Jackets, 5 p.m. (MS+2). Knicks host 76ers, 7:30 p.m. (MSG). Nets at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (YES). Rangers at Devils, 5 p.m. (MSG, MSG+). |
| • Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s food writer Melissa Clark and other guests. Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. on NY1. | • Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s food writer Melissa Clark and other guests. Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. on NY1. |
| Sunday | Sunday |
| • Look for owls on a nature hike at Alley Pond Park in Oakland Gardens, Queens. 11 a.m. [Free, registration required] | • Look for owls on a nature hike at Alley Pond Park in Oakland Gardens, Queens. 11 a.m. [Free, registration required] |
| • A historical tour of Goodhue Park, led by urban park rangers, begins at Clinton Avenue and Prospect Avenue on Staten Island. 1 p.m. [Free] | • A historical tour of Goodhue Park, led by urban park rangers, begins at Clinton Avenue and Prospect Avenue on Staten Island. 1 p.m. [Free] |
| • A performance of Arthur Miller’s “The Price,” with Mark Ruffalo and Danny DeVito, at the American Airlines Theater in Midtown. 2 p.m. [Remaining tickets start at $69] | • A performance of Arthur Miller’s “The Price,” with Mark Ruffalo and Danny DeVito, at the American Airlines Theater in Midtown. 2 p.m. [Remaining tickets start at $69] |
| • A production of the opera “La Traviata” with English supertitles at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Bayside, Queens. 3 p.m. [Tickets start at $35] | • A production of the opera “La Traviata” with English supertitles at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Bayside, Queens. 3 p.m. [Tickets start at $35] |
| • Watch the Oscars from one of these bars. And follow our coverage from reporters, editors and critics. The show begins at 7 p.m. | • Watch the Oscars from one of these bars. And follow our coverage from reporters, editors and critics. The show begins at 7 p.m. |
| • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. | • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. |
| • Subway and PATH | • Subway and PATH |
| • Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak | • Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak |
| • Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s. | • Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s. |
| • Alternate-side parking: in effect until March 1. | • Alternate-side parking: in effect until March 1. |
| • Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry | • Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry |
| • Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark | • Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark |
| • Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings. | • Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings. |
| The soothing weather this week has provided a palliative break in what has seemed like a month of very tough news. | The soothing weather this week has provided a palliative break in what has seemed like a month of very tough news. |
| But we promise, it’s not all doom and gloom. | But we promise, it’s not all doom and gloom. |
| Here are a few pieces of good news you might have missed in the past week: | Here are a few pieces of good news you might have missed in the past week: |
| • The security costs for Trump Tower are lower than anticipated. | • The security costs for Trump Tower are lower than anticipated. |
| • Cat adoptions are resuming at city shelters, weeks after a rare flu led to a quarantine. | • Cat adoptions are resuming at city shelters, weeks after a rare flu led to a quarantine. |
| • New York City Beer Week begins today. | • New York City Beer Week begins today. |
| • For parents: Children return to public schools on Monday after a week off. | • For parents: Children return to public schools on Monday after a week off. |
| • And spring is coming about a month early this year, according to the trees. | • And spring is coming about a month early this year, according to the trees. |
| Oh, and it’s finally Friday. Nearly time to enjoy your weekend. | Oh, and it’s finally Friday. Nearly time to enjoy your weekend. |
| New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can receive it via email. | New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can receive it via email. |
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| Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter. | Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter. |
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