Previous research on the effects of crowding on human behavior has concentrated on aggression and other negative outcomes. This study focused on the possible inhibiting effect of crowding on the development of positive mood states. 48 college men and 48 women were examined under conditions of high and low spatial density. Subjects were provided with positive mood-producing stimuli or neutral stimuli during crowding conditions. Neither positive nor negative moods were directly produced by crowding. Influence of crowding centered around inhibiting the effectiveness of positive mood-producing stimuli. Outcomes occurred for both men and women subjects.
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