Architectural Dimension of Longing for the Polish People’s Republic: The Role of Nostalgia in Rating of Traditional and Modern Buildings and Interiors

Mikołaj Filipiak

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8794-8827

Adam Zduńczyk

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Psychology

Maria Lewicka

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6060-467X


Abstrakt

Goal: Exploring the relationship between nostalgia and its types (restorative nostalgia and reflective nostalgia) alongside preferences for buildings and interiors in a modern or a typical traditional Polish People’s Republic (PPR) style. We predicted that restorative nostalgia (a longing for a lost past and a desire to recreate it in the present) will increase the architectural preference – both of buildings and interiors – for the typical Polish People’s Republic style, to a higher degree than reflective nostalgia, defined as a reflection on the passage of time. We also predicted that there would be a positive relationship between age and a preference for buildings and interiors typical for the Polish People’s Republic period.

Method: The first study, regarded as a pilot study, was conducted on a group of N = 67 participants. It investigated the correlation between age, two types of nostalgia measured using Prusik’s (2011) adaptation of the INP questionnaire (Index of Nostalgia Proneness), and ratings of 20 pictures of blocks of flats from the PPR period and modern buildings. 476 people aged 18–83 took part in the second study. They filled out a questionnaire measuring two types of nostalgia and then rated 12 randomly presented photos of buildings and interiors in a modern or the PPR style on four scales: “I like it”, practicality, coziness, and how nostalgic it appeared.

Results: In the first study, older people had a higher level of restorative nostalgia and rated photos of PPR buildings higher. Restorative nostalgia was a better predictor of blocks of flats ratings than reflective nostalgia.

In the second study, statistical analysis revealed a negative association between age and the overall ratings and nostalgic ratings of communist-era interiors, and a positive association with the nostalgic ratings of modern interiors. Reflective nostalgia better explained the variance in ratings of modern buildings. Restorative nostalgia was more strongly associated with ratings of communist-era interiors than reflective nostalgia and predicted nostalgic ratings of communist-era buildings. Both types of nostalgia predicted positive evaluations of modern interiors.

Conclusion: The results of the studies showcase a complex picture of the relationship between nostalgia, style, and ratings of presented photos. A link was found between restorative nostalgia and positive ratings of places in the PPR style. However, unexpected relationships between variables were also found in the second study. The lack of reproducibility of correlation between age and ratings of photos suggests a limited influence of experiences from one’s youth in the shaping of preferences for buildings and interiors.


Słowa kluczowe:

restorative nostalgia, reflective nostalgia, building preference, interiors preference, Polish People’s Republic


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Opublikowane
2025-12-17

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Filipiak, M., Zduńczyk, A., & Lewicka, M. (2025). Architectural Dimension of Longing for the Polish People’s Republic: The Role of Nostalgia in Rating of Traditional and Modern Buildings and Interiors. Przegląd Psychologiczny, 68(3), 191–218. https://doi.org/10.31648/przegldpsychologiczny.12563

Mikołaj Filipiak 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Doctoral School of Social Sciences Academia Rerum Socialium
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8794-8827
Adam Zduńczyk 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Psychology
Maria Lewicka 
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6060-467X