Sensitivity to Temporal Variations in Thermal Conditions

Abstract

This paper describes an experiment in which 1G people each experienced four levels of change in temperature and reported their sensations. Changes were of 0°, 3°, 6° and 9°C and were symmetrical about a center point of 23°C and linear over an exposure period of 6 hours. Changes occurred in both upward and downward directions. Subjects reported their warmth sensations at hourly intervals and gave a summary assessment on 11 semantic differential scales at the end of the period of exposure. The smallest rate of change was reliably detected and changing environments were reported to be less pleasant and more uneven than the steady state. Degree of extraveraion of the subjects and direction of changes in temperature were non-significant variables. A method of estimating the degree of dissatisfaction produced by temperature changes is briefly described.