Emotional Impact of Flowers Study (2024)

Methodology

The Emotional Impact of Flowers Study was conducted by Jeannette M. Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Project Director, Human Development Lab at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Dr. Haviland-Jones is a psychologist and internationally recognized authority in the role of emotional development in human behavior and nonverbal emotional signals and response.

The research adds a scientific foundation to what many consider to be common knowledge – that flowers have a strong, beneficial impact on those who receive them. The Society of American Florists worked in cooperation with the Rutgers research team, bringing an expertise of flowers to the project.

Study Participants

The participants were 147 women, ranging equally in age, educational level, and career and lifestyle choice. Women were studied because previous research on emotion demonstrates that women are more discerning of moods, more willing to participate in studies on moods and more involved in emotional management within the home and at work.

Flower Deliveries

Study participants knew they would have a gift delivered, but they did not know what the gift would be. This “secrecy” was to obtain an honest first reaction to the gift as a measure of the direct effect of flowers on immediate mood.

Immediate Emotional Reaction

Trained researchers measured the behavior and emotional expression of participants when they received the flowers. Three different smiles as well as verbal reactions were coded upon the delivery of the flowers. The information was recorded into a field computer within the first 5 seconds of the flower delivery, to measure accurately the first, immediate reaction.

  • Polite Smile: This is used most commonly in quick greetings or acknowledgements. No discernable facial movement is present except the turning up of the corners of the mouth.
  • True Smile: This is seen when there are possible changes in behavior indicating pleasure. Hence it is called “true” – the person is truly happy.
  • Excited Smile: This smile combines two emotions – excitement and happiness. Here we see the true smile, but also the eyebrows are raised so that there are high, horizontal wrinkles across the forehead.

Interviews

The participants were interviewed before getting their gifts, to give the research team a “baseline” of measure. From this, the researchers measured how feelings changed when participants had flowers in their homes. In the initial interview, interviewers asked the participants to evaluate their feelings over the past two to four days to assess their overall, general feelings. Then, several days after the gift was delivered (about 10 days after the first interview) participants were interviewed again to measure changes in feelings related to having flowers in the home.

Questionnaires

The following questionnaires were asked of participants: Diener and Lerner’s Life Satisfaction questionnaire, Izard’s Differential Emotion Scale, the Everyday Illness questionnaire, and the Symptoms of Well-Being questionnaire – which covers entertaining, romance, relaxation, intimate and creative experiences.

About the Researcher

Emotional Impact of Flowers Study (1)Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Rutgers University and the director of its Human Emotions Lab. An internationally recognized authority on the role of emotional development in human behavior and nonverbal emotional signals and response, Haviland-Jones has published several books on adolescence and emotion and is co-editor of the Handbook of Emotion, for which she won a Critics Circle Award.

Emotional Impact of Flowers Study (2024)

FAQs

What are the emotional effects of flowers study? ›

In three studies they showed that flowers always illicit the true duch*ene smile in women, elicited more positive social behaviour than other stimuli in both men and women and elicited positive mood reports and improved episodic memory in people of an advanced age.

What are the emotional benefits of flowers? ›

Studies have shown that flowers can induce creative energy and positive vibes, ultimately making us feel better. Nature can change our mood and ease stress. Flowers can free us from anxiety, depression, and the everyday worries of life. Another benefit of being around flowers is that they reduce stress.

What are the benefits of flowers study? ›

Study participants who lived with fresh cut flowers for less than a week felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others.

Do flowers have an immediate impact on happiness? ›

The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction, and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

Is it scientifically proven that flowers make you feel better? ›

10 Months of Research

In all age groups, participants were happy to receive the flowers, and this didn't only occur for the initial gift-giving; the study also recorded that the participants were less depressed or anxious for three days afterwards, too.

What emotions are associated with flowers? ›

For any age group, flowers are linked to immediate happiness and excitement. The reactions are often- surprise, joy, and gratitude. Flowers have been found to have a positive effect on the moods of people for a prolonged time. People feel less depressed, stressed, angry, or agitated while receiving flowers.

What flower represents mental health? ›

The Flannel Flower, an Australian native, has been chosen as the national symbol to promote mental health awareness in Australia.

Can flowers feel emotion? ›

Plants do not. Plants may exhibit reactions to stimuli, and we sometimes interpret these responses as defensive behavior, but we're really talking about successful adaptations to their environment. Plants have neither nervous systems nor neuro-transmitting pain receptors.

How flowers are used for expressing emotions? ›

Flowers are often used to express emotions because they are seen as symbols of love, appreciation, and comfort. They can be given to show support during tough times or as a way to say thank you. Flowers can also be used to apologize for something that went wrong.

What is it called when you study flowers? ›

Botany, also called plant science(s), plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field.

How do flowers symbolize life? ›

Flowers Symbolize Growth and Life

Flowers blooming is one of the natural occurrences of life and they signify that the reproduction cycle is recurring. As such, this makes a flower the representation of life and when a person looks at them it is said that it fills them with the feeling of a new life, a new beginning.

How do flowers make a woman feel? ›

Flowers are a symbol of beauty and femininity. When a woman receives a bouquet, she feels like she is being appreciated for her femininity. Receiving flowers makes women feel pretty and ladylike, and they love this feeling!

Why are flowers calming? ›

In addition to their aesthetics, flowers release chemicals called Mycobacterium vaccae that signals the brain to release serotonin. Serotonin is known as a “feel good” hormone that lifts mood and brings on a sense of calm.

What is the healing effect of flowers? ›

Flowers bring joy to our faces and light up our lives. Being around them simply makes us feel better, and scientific studies have shown that flowers in a hospital room can even help us heal faster by promoting lower stress and perceived pain levels.

Why are flowers so healing? ›

All the flowers have aromatic oils that are responsible for their strong aroma. The oils obtained from flowers have alleviating properties. The essential oils from flowers trigger the body to heal itself by initiating the normal biochemical and physical functioning of the body.

Is growing flowers good for mental health? ›

How do Flowers Impact Mental Health? According to recent studies, keeping flowers around improves people's moods and reduces stress-related depression. They also increase positive energy levels and help people feel secure and relaxed.

What do flowers represent in psychology? ›

Flowers are thus connected to a positive, emotional environment for optimal psychological—and from this, physical—health. We tend flowers as we tend loved ones. The aesthetic experience becomes socially embedded and relational.

What does flower mean in psychology? ›

Flowers Create Happiness

Receiving flowers, whether you bought them for yourself or they were sent from another person, can give you an immediate boost of happiness. A bouquet of flowers means that someone cares for you. A bouquet with bright colors and sweet, soothing scent can brighten any room.

What flower makes people happiest? ›

Daffodils: These bright blooms have been named the number one flower for enhancing people's moods. Yellow is a color that is often associated with happiness, so it comes as little surprise that a vase brimming with beautiful daffodils will instantly perk up your day!

What flower symbolizes anxiety? ›

Flower Symbolism Chart
Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Other Plants
AbatinaFickleness
- Columbine, purpleResolution
- Columbine, redAnxious, Trembling
CoreopsisAlways cheerful
129 more rows

What is the flower of empathy? ›

Poppies. Poppies symbolise remembrance and consolation. These vivid red flowers are likely associated with sympathy due to their use around November time and Remembrance Day, when you buy the paper version to pin on your jacket.

Does flowers help with depression? ›

Growing scented flowering plants, such as Lilacs, Lavender or Jasmine, can help you improve your mood, sleep better, and ease other depression symptoms.

How do plants show emotion? ›

You can actually see how plants respond to those physical stresses because they change their shape,” Dr Kim Johnson says. “So if a plant is getting constantly hit with strong wind, it will actually change shape to better resist that wind; if roots hit a rock, they'll grow around it, so they sense things around them.”

What is the value of flowers? ›

The main function of flowers is to attract pollinators to plants to ensure the reproduction and survival of the plant species. Many plants and pollinators have adapted characteristics to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship for each organism.

Why are flowers so meaningful? ›

They might typically be considered as a symbol of love and care, but they can also convey many other emotions too: from joy, happiness, appreciation, and affection to sympathy, gratitude, or apology. Flowers can help us communicate our feelings to the ones we care about perfectly, in a way that no other object can.

Why are flowers meaningful? ›

With their colorful and beautiful blooms, flowers are often seen as symbols of joy and pleasure. However, different types and colors of flowers bring unique meanings. Some flowers are seen as symbols of friendship and purity, while others are tied to forgiveness and death.

What is the most important thing about flowers? ›

Their primary purpose is reproduction. During the reproductive process, flowers make use of their colorful petals to attract pollinators such as insects and animals. These creatures are also lured by the nectar that flowers produce in their nectaries, glands that are often found at the base of their petals.

How do plants help your mental health? ›

Plants can quickly improve mood.

Studies have found that less than 20 minutes is enough to make us feel more at peace. In one experiment, participants who spent even five to 10 minutes in a room with a few houseplants felt happier and more satisfied than those in a room without plants.

What is a person called who loves flowers? ›

Anthophile: one who loves flowers: (diary, notebook)

What is the rarest flower Colour? ›

Did you know that blue is the rarest flower color? Brandon George, graduate student in Public Garden Leadership at Cornell University, takes an in-depth talk on the color blue, why it is so rare in the plant world, and some tips for displaying it in a garden.

How are flowers connected to science? ›

botany: plant & flower science. Botany is the branch of biology that deals with plants. It involves the study of the structure and properties of plant life, including flowers and trees. Also included are plant classification and the study of the interactions of plants with their physical environment.

What do flowers mean spiritually? ›

In the Bible, flowers often symbolize various virtues, such as love, faith, and hope, as well as significant events in the lives of biblical figures.

What flower represents strength? ›

The gladiolus flower meaning is strength.

What flower means strength? ›

Gladiolus. Remembrance, faithfulness, and sincerity all are represented by the gladiolus. Their tall, strong stems symbolize a strength of character as well. This vibrant, long lasting bloom is available in a large range of hues and is popular in floral arrangements.

What mood do flowers create? ›

Receiving a bouquet of flowers has been proven to be a scientific mood booster. Researchers have noticed that, when giving the gift of flowers or plants, people physically and emotionally show their 'true smile', or a 'duch*enne smile'.

Are flowers good for the soul? ›

Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Luther Burbank – Plant Breeder.

What is a quote for flowers? ›

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."

What is the emotional impact of plants? ›

Plants can quickly improve mood.

Studies have found that less than 20 minutes is enough to make us feel more at peace. In one experiment, participants who spent even five to 10 minutes in a room with a few houseplants felt happier and more satisfied than those in a room without plants.

What is flower symbolism study? ›

Floriography is the language of flowers. All flowers hold different meanings, often based on the type of flower, the colour of the flower, or both. And floriography is the art of communicating through different flower types.

What flower is associated with mental health? ›

The Flannel flower is an Australian native plant that has been chosen as the national symbol to promote mental health awareness in Australia.

How flowers describe your personality? ›

Pink roses mean grace, happiness and gentleness; white roses mean purity, innocence, reverence, and silence; yellow roses symbolize new beginnings, joy and friendship; orange roses symbolize desire and enthusiasm; and coral roses symbolize friendship, modesty and empathy. Lavender roses represent love at first sight.

Do plants have emotional responses? ›

Research has shown that plants are complex organisms that can feel, communicate and respond to their environment. In fact, plants can feel emotions too. This might sound surprising, but it is true.

Do plants have emotional feelings? ›

Do Plants Have Feelings (Or Emotions)? No – unlike humans and non-human animals, plants do not have feelings. It is undeniable that a plant can respond to environmental stimuli, like turning towards the light or closing over a fly. But that doesn't prove that they can have feelings, such as pain.

How do plants express their feelings? ›

Plants may not have feelings but they are indeed alive and have been described as sentient life forms that have “tropic” and “nastic” responses to stimuli. Plants can sense water, light, and gravity — they can even defend themselves and send signals to other plants to warn that danger is here, or near.

How do flowers connect people? ›

Flowers impact relationships.

So, the act of giving (or receiving) flowers inspires the development of intimate connections. When these kinds of relationships mature, oxytocin—the “love” or “bonding” hormone—is released, which makes individuals feel closer to one another.

What is the study of flowers called? ›

A. Floriculture. No worries!

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