In the field of environmental psychology, it is widely acknowledged that our surroundings can influence our thoughts and actions. An interesting concept within this field is the “cathedral effect,” which suggests that working in spacious environments with high ceilings can promote creativity and expansive thinking.
What is the Cathedral Effect?
The ‘cathedral effect’ refers to the relationship people have with high and low ceilings. Low ceilings tend to bring on feelings of confinement, while high ceilings inspire a feeling of freedom. This principle was first introduced by Edward T Hall in the 1960s when he observed that small chapels can make people feel cramped, whereas awe-inspiring cathedrals project all the freedom and openness.
In simple terms, high ceilings encourage abstract thinking and creativity, while low ceilings promote concrete and detail-oriented thinking.
High Ceiling (“cathedrals”):
- Freedom-related concepts
- Relational and Abstract Thinking
- Identify more commonalities
- More Creativity
Low Ceiling (“chapels”):
- Confinement-related concepts
- Item-specific elaboration
- Find more differences
- More refinement
Why is it important in Product Management?
The Cathedral Effect is relevant to product management because it serves as a metaphorical tool that helps us switch between a big picture and a specific focus. At times, we need to adopt a “high-ceiling mindset,” focusing on the grand vision, generating innovative ideas, and strategizing. However, there are also moments when we need to switch to a “low-ceiling approach,” concentrating on specific details, timelines, and task execution.
How to apply it in design thinking?
- Vision of the Grand Picture: Always start with the big picture. Understand what makes your product a ‘cathedral’ for its users.
- Specifics Matter: Pay attention to every detail, no matter how small, as it could be the foundation of your grand design.
- Foster a Cathedral Mindset: Encourage your team to see the grandeur in what they are building, share your vision, and motivate them to aim higher.
To apply the Cathedral Effect in design thinking, it is important to be flexible in switching between “high” and “low” ceiling mindsets based on the stage of your product development cycle. During the ideation and empathy stages, allow your mind to roam under the “high ceiling” and dream big. Understand your user needs in a broader context. However, when you are prototyping or testing, lower that ceiling. Be detailed, focused, and relentless in your pursuit of perfection.
The Cathedral Effect is a powerful tool that can help you toggle between the big picture and the specifics in your product management and design thinking processes.