The article explores the relationship between physical warmth and interpersonal warmth, suggesting that experiencing physical warmth can influence perceptions and behaviors without conscious awareness. The authors, Lawrence E. Williams and John A. Bargh, draw on attachment theory and recent research showing the involvement of the insular cortex in processing both physical temperature and interpersonal warmth. They hypothesized that holding a hot cup of coffee would make participants perceive a target person as warmer (more generous, caring) compared to holding an iced cup. In two studies, they found that participants who held a hot cup rated the target person as warmer, and those who held a hot therapeutic pad were more likely to choose a gift for a friend rather than for themselves. These findings support the idea that physical warmth experiences can automatically and unconsciously influence interpersonal judgments and behaviors.The article explores the relationship between physical warmth and interpersonal warmth, suggesting that experiencing physical warmth can influence perceptions and behaviors without conscious awareness. The authors, Lawrence E. Williams and John A. Bargh, draw on attachment theory and recent research showing the involvement of the insular cortex in processing both physical temperature and interpersonal warmth. They hypothesized that holding a hot cup of coffee would make participants perceive a target person as warmer (more generous, caring) compared to holding an iced cup. In two studies, they found that participants who held a hot cup rated the target person as warmer, and those who held a hot therapeutic pad were more likely to choose a gift for a friend rather than for themselves. These findings support the idea that physical warmth experiences can automatically and unconsciously influence interpersonal judgments and behaviors.