Temperature-related words such as “hot” and “cold” are often used to describe impulsive and calculated behaviors, respectively. These metaphoric connotations of thermal concepts raise the question as to whether temperature, psychological states and decision making are related to each other, and if so, how. The current research examines these questions and finds support for a relationship. Across four laboratory experiments and two field studies, I demonstrate that both hot temperature primes (e.g., pictures, words, therapeutic packs) and hot ambient temperature trigger decision outcomes in line with the metaphoric association between hot temperature and impulsivity. I suggest that the theory of embodied cognition provides an explanation for these findings.

Temperature-related words such as “hot” and “cold” are often used to describe impulsive and calculated behaviors, respectively. These metaphoric connotations of thermal concepts raise the question as to whether temperature, psychological states and decision making are related to each other, and if so, how. The current research examines these questions and finds support for a relationship. Across four laboratory experiments and two field studies, I demonstrate that both hot temperature primes (e.g., pictures, words, therapeutic packs) and hot ambient temperature trigger decision outcomes in line with the metaphoric association between hot temperature and impulsivity. I suggest that the theory of embodied cognition provides an explanation for these findings.