What Our Possessions And Settings Say About Us: A Review Of The Room Effect

Abstract

The physical environment in which people live can influence the perceptions, evaluations, and behavior of others, which is known as the Room Effect. The method originated in environmental psychology. As the method developed, it was gradually extended to other fields, particularly product design and branding. The Room Effect is a new method of investigating the impact of possessions and environments on the people associated with them. It can help one inquire into how the characteristics of an item, such as physical features or branding, affect its owner. It also allows marketing departments to recognize the psychological needs of their owners. However, current research and summaries of room effects are limited. This study provides a systematic literature review of the field with a focus on the Room Effect. It also concludes with a summary of the methodology of the Room Effect, which will help people understand the impact of possessions and environments on the people with whom they are associated, as well as help researchers understand the psychological needs of their owners. Five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, JStor, Google Scholar) were used to search and locate relevant studies (searches were conducted from the beginning of the databases to 24 August 2024) for this study. A total of 2843 articles were retrieved. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. This review describes the Room Effect's development and practical applications in different fields. Finally, it describes ongoing research that seeks to extend this approach to additional fields and scenarios.