A disorganized room may reveal something about the habits of whoever lives there, but it is not enough to define someone's personality. Studies in psychology have analyzed how personal environments, such as rooms and offices, may be associated with certain traits and even influence decisions. However, the results do not allow concluding that a disorganized person is necessarily lazy, irresponsible, or undisciplined.
In a study conducted by psychologist Sam Gosling from the University of Texas at Austin, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers analyzed rooms and offices to assess to what extent other people were able to obtain information about who occupied those spaces.
The elements observed included photographs, books, decorative objects, and the way belongings were distributed. The study investigated the ability of outside individuals to extract information about the occupants based on the organization and content of their environments.
