Brain freeze: outdoor cold and indoor cognitive performance

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
Year: 2020
Volume: 101
Issue: C

Authors (2)

Cook, Nikolai (not in RePEc) Heyes, Anthony (Université d'Ottawa)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We present first evidence that outdoor cold temperatures negatively impact indoor cognitive performance. We use a within-subject design and a large-scale dataset of adults in an incentivized setting. The performance decrement is large despite the subjects working in a fully climate-controlled environment. Using secondary data, we find evidence of partial adaptation at the organizational, individual and biological levels. The results are interpreted in the context of climate models that observe and predict an increase in the frequency of very cold days in some locations (e.g. Chicago) and a decrease in others (e.g. Beijing).

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeeman:v:101:y:2020:i:c:s0095069620300413
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25