Science Of Tidiness

Should you bust out the duster, or have a cuppa instead? Behavioural scientist kathleen vohs tells us about the science of tidiness

Should I bother with the spring cleaning?

It depends on how much you care about the effects that cleaning can have. We’ve done research into this. In one study, people completed tasks in tidy or untidy rooms, then had the option to donate to charity. We found that those in tidy rooms were more generous. Cleaning seems to make you more likely to act in a way that is more upstanding and consistent with social norms.

Can I still get psychological benefits of cleaning if I pay someone else to do it?

Absolutely. You don’t have to be the person that does all the tidying in order for your behaviour to change. A neat house can have an effect on everyone in the household.

My teenage daughter argues that she can’t help being messy. Should I let her off tidying her room?