(U-WIRE) PROVO, Utah -- Spring isn't the only thing heating up; the mercury in the love thermometer is also on the rise on Brigham Young University's campus.
Besides tulips, new couples are popping up like daisies.
"The warm weather, sunny skies and new life are some aspects of spring that make many people crave a spring relationship," said Jennifer Starling, a graduate student at Northwestern University.
Starling recently completed a study in the field of biopsychology on how weather affects relationships.
The study states sunshine and warmer temperatures positively affect the human psyche resulting in a more open and outgoing personality.
"A lot of people forget humans are animals, and we have an animalistic instinct to look for a mate in the spring," Starling said.
Robert E. Thayer, a professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach, has also conducted biopsychological studies that have parallel findings.
Thayer said spring weather brings about mood change that makes people more approachable and easier to flirt with.
"People become more aroused in warm, sunny weather. One explanation is that individuals wear less clothing and reveal more skin," he said.
Although warm weather has a positive effect on relationships, continual stress causes tension in personal interactions.
Thayer said he has observed how finals week has negatively affected relationships of his students.
"I have found central feelings of energy and tension underlie most of the moods we experience each day," he said.
Being inside and studying for long periods of time causes most people to go into the worst mood state, tense-tiredness.
Thayer said most college students experience tense-tiredness during finals week, which can be a detriment to a normally loving relationship.
John Holland, 23, a senior majoring in business from Layton, Salt Lake County said he isn't surprised with any of the findings.
"When the sun shines I seem to notice more girls, but don't talk to me during finals week," he said.
Like many BYU students Holland feels added stress during finals week causing him to alienate those he loves.
"But, you have to know when to take a break and have some fun. For me that means having fun with someone of the opposite sex," he said.
(C) 2002 The Daily Universe via U-WIRE