Gloom

Psychology
- Gloom

Gloom refers to a dim level of light that has both physiological and psychological impacts. At this brightness, human vision turns monochrome and clarity diminishes.

Optical and psychological effects

Light conditions may be considered gloomy when the level of light in an environment is insufficient for the proper function of cone cells, resulting in a loss of color vision. In a study by Rothwell and Campbell, light levels described as "gloomy" fell between 28 and 3.6 Candela/square meter (cd/m2).

Low light and a lack of color of this sort may be associated with depression and lethargy. This association dates back to the 2nd century when the ancient Greek physician, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, stated, "Lethargics are to be laid in the light and exposed to the rays of the sun, for the disease is gloom." Some studies have also found weaker electrical activity in the retinas of depressed individuals, which resulted in poor visual contrast, meaning they perceive the world in grayer hues. The naturally weak daylight during winter at extreme latitudes can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), although some people experience SAD in the summer. A solarium or another source of bright light may be used as light therapy to treat winter SAD.

Architecture and ergonomics

When using artificial lighting, it must not only adequately light the task area but also ensure enough background illumination to prevent a sense of gloom, which negatively impacts efficiency. Difficult tasks, like playing cricket, showcase that reaction times significantly increase when lighting falls to a gloomy level.

In architecture, lighting levels influence the appeal of a building. Limited sunlight or lack of outdoor views can lead to a perception of the building as "gloomy. " Visually, an interior that is brighter than the outdoor light may also contribute to an overall gloomy appearance because it disrupts normal visual cues and contrasts.

Artistic effect

In art, a bleak landscape can illustrate themes like sorrow or poverty. Horace Walpole coined the term "gloomth" to capture the atmosphere of impressive ancient buildings, which he recreated in his Gothic Revival house, Strawberry Hill, and in his novel, The Castle of Otranto. Characters that embody a dreary perspective include Eeyore, Marvin, and the Old Man Gloom. The phrase "doom and gloom, " often used to convey extreme pessimism, was popularized by the film Finian's Rainbow, where the leprechaun Og (Tommy Steele) frequently uses it.

Weather

Gloomy conditions may arise when low cloud cover forms a continuous overcast. This phenomenon occurs annually in Southern California, where it is known as June Gloom. Anticyclones can generate gloom-like conditions if they remain stationary, resulting in a haze and a layer of stratocumulus clouds. These conditions tend to occur during temperate winters at middle latitudes or over an extended period in subtropical regions.

See also [ Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions ]

Emotions