Understanding the Influences of Atmospheric Cues on the Emotional Responses and Behaviours of Museum Visitors

The ability of an atmosphere to affect consumer emotions and behaviour is known to be particularly relevant for service organisations. This study examined the role of atmospherics in a service domain via a survey of the responses to relevant stimuli among a sample of visitors to ten UK museums. A model indicating the relationships between museum atmospherics and visitor conduct was developed and tested. Visitors' internal reactions to various atmospheric factors were explored and the consequences of these responses for an individual's approachavoidance behaviour were evaluated. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.