Emotional Responses, Decision-Making, and Judgment in First-Time Hospital Lobby Experiences

Background/ObjectivesThis study explores how individuals form first impressions when encountering a hospital lobby in the United States. It examines the roles of emotional responses and decision-making during brief environmental exposure, focusing on how sensory cues and emotional reactions shape visitor judgments.MethodsAs part of a larger mixed-methods project, this paper presents findings from the quantitative phase. Data were collected between June 2023 and February 2024 from participants visiting a hospital lobby in West Texas. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 5-min or unlimited exposure condition. Three newly developed self-report scales measured environmental perceptions, emotional responses, and first impression judgments. Due to non-normal data distribution, nonparametric analyses (Spearman's rho, Mann-Whitney U) were conducted. Age and gender were also analyzed.ResultsParticipants formed first impressions rapidly, often within 5 min. Emotional responses significantly influenced the relationship between environmental perceptions and judgments. Negative emotions, such as nervousness, fear, and distress, had a stronger influence on first impressions than positive emotions. No significant differences were found between exposure durations or across age and gender. Sensory and visual cues were critical in shaping emotional reactions and first impressions.ConclusionsFirst impressions in hospital lobbies are formed quickly and are strongly shaped by the physical environment and emotional responses. Reducing negative emotional triggers such as confusion, poor signage, or unwelcoming interactions is more effective than incorporating positive features. Visitors rely on brief, "thin-slice" cues to evaluate and emotionally respond to a space, making initial moments of experience crucial for forming first impressions.