Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Open-hearted: Preferences for openness in the agreeableness domain.
Michael D Robinson1, Jade A Lindquist1, Roberta L Irvin1
1Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
Preferring open spatial concepts is linked to greater agreeableness and pro-social behavior. This suggests that an openness in spatial orientation encourages warmer, more interactive relationships with others.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Spatial Cognition
Background:
- Spatial concepts, derived from experiences with open and closed objects, influence how individuals perceive societies, others, and the self.
- A preference for open versus closed spatial concepts may correlate with interpersonal functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between preferences for open versus closed spatial concepts and agreeableness, peer perceptions, and pro-social functioning.
- To explore whether spatial orientation influences interpersonal interactions.
Main Methods:
- Three studies involving 901 participants assessed preferences for "open" or "closed" spatial concepts.
- Data collection included self-reported agreeableness, peer ratings of warmth, and daily diary measures of pro-social feelings.
Main Results:
- Individuals preferring open concepts scored higher in agreeableness and were perceived as warmer by peers.
- Daily fluctuations in open preferences correlated with increased pro-social feelings.
- Open preferences demonstrated both within-person and between-person associations with pro-sociality.
Conclusions:
- Spatial orientation, specifically a preference for openness, is a significant factor in fostering warm and interactive relationships.
- The findings highlight the role of spatial concepts in social interaction and agreeableness.
More Related Videos
06:42Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
08:59The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Formation
Egoism and Altruism
Altruism
Empathy
Persuasion Strategies
Social Proof