Between those who love sweaters and those who track down the slightest ray of sunshine, the discussion seems to revolve around simple comfort. However, several studies in psychology and neuroscience show that our preference for a season or a temperature is associated with personality traits and the way we manage our emotions. Studies published in Natural Human BehaviorIn Science and In the European Journal of Personality all go in this direction.
When you prefer heat to cold, it is called a thermal preference for warm environments. Certain summaries of work, including a study by Junqin Wei published in
Natural Human Behavior in 2017, show that regions with milder climates have more people who are extroverted, emotionally stable and open to new experiences. Other research, notably that of Robert McCrae in 2007, also associates warm climates with cultures perceived as more “warm” in social interactions. Ultimately, this preference for heat can be seen as an interesting clue, without being a fixed label.
Preferring heat to cold: what this can say about your personality
People who prefer heat to cold are often described as more oriented towards sociability, conviviality and outdoor activities. They generally enjoy long days, terraces and summer evenings, which often go hand in hand with a desire for contact, sharing and a rather open and positive state of mind. Conversely, those who prefer the cold say they are more reserved, introspective and in search of calm or emotional control.
In certain cultural and psychological approaches, warmth is associated with affect, protection and comfort, while cold refers more to distance and withdrawal. Liking the sun, well-heated environments or very hot sensations can thus reflect a need for emotional security and a “cocoon”. It is therefore not only a question of physical comfort, but also a way of seeking a feeling of calm and closeness.
The surprising link between physical heat and human warmth
A famous experiment published in 2008 in the journal
Science showed that holding a hot drink led participants to judge a stranger as warmer and more generous, and to make more prosocial choices. The authors describe an involvement of the insula, a brain region that processes both temperature and certain social emotions.
Research also indicates that social rejection literally makes you feel “cold”: after exclusion, people report feeling colder and seek out more hot drinks or objects. If you love heat, it is possible that your brain uses heat as a discreet emotional regulator, to compensate for a feeling of loneliness, insecurity or simply to amplify a feeling of connection and relaxation.
Preferring hot doesn’t explain everything about your psychology
Liking heat is not enough to conclude that you are extroverted or emotionally anxious. The studies of Junqin Wei or Robert McCrae describe large-scale correlations, not individual rules. Your sensitivity to cold also depends on your metabolism, your muscle mass, your hormones or certain medical treatments, as demonstrated by work on thermosensation.
Your personal history also plays a role: a childhood in a sunny country, vivid memories of summer vacations or, on the contrary, difficult winters can influence your preferences. These can also change with age, stress level or lifestyle. In summary, preferring heat over cold may reflect some of your needs for comfort, connection, and security, but that’s only a small part of your story.