If you’re a fan of fall, with its red and yellow-hued foliage, pumpkins, and perfect weather for cozy cardigans and hot drinks, you’re just like most of us.
But do you know why it makes us so happy? There’s a psychological reason that explains it.
Our feelings for this season are based on a dynamic concept that combines nostalgia for traditions and excitement for new beginnings.
Autumn is Synonymous With Traditions
If autumn is your favorite season, know that there is a sociopsychological reason behind it.
Researchers have found that the reasons why everyone seems to love fall so much are simply because these feelings have been culturally ingrained in us since childhood.
According to Amy Jane Griffiths, a psychologist and professor at Chapman University, people get excited about this season and its cooler weather because they often associate it with events and traditions that evoke memories of happy times.
“We all crave the comfort and security that come from traditions and predictability,” says Griffiths. “Usually, these memories involve joyful experiences with friends and family, and they provide something we look forward to,” such as weekends amid the foliage, the first evenings sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, or seasonal treats.
But Also New Beginnings
There’s also a very different, yet still socially constructed, reason that makes us lovers of this season.
For (almost) everyone, fall signifies a fresh start: whether it’s returning to work after vacation or starting a new school year.
Kathryn Lively, a sociology professor at Dartmouth College, explained that these associations between fall and the start of something new are normal and much more significant than one might think.
“As children, we associate autumn with going back to school, new school supplies, and meeting friends. It’s exciting for most people.”
“As adults, we still respond to this mental model we experienced for 18 years of school,” Lively said.
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This article first appeared on grazia.it — Author: Miriam Tagini
