One of the most frustrating goals for people is weight loss or weight loss maintenance," Professor Vohs said. So if a person concentrates on that goa… - Kathleen D. Vohs

A clean setting leads people to do good things: Not engage in crime, not litter, and show more generosity," Vohs explains for the Association for Psychological Science . "We found, however, that you can get really valuable outcomes from being in a messy setting.

The research has received a lot of media attention, and Vohs thinks she knows why: "I think it makes people feel vindicated," Vohs says. "There's a multibillion dollar industry to help people de-clutter their lives. Relationship partners, employers, everyone wants you to be neat … but there may be times being messy is good, too. I think messy people feel vindicated big time.

Interviewer: Do you have any advice for individuals who wish to pursue a career in social psychology? Vohs: Sure! Work, work, work, and work. This career is one of persistence, and so the harder you work, the more successful you are likely to be. Keep positive! This job is mostly a series of “no, go away” messages so keeping positive and excited about the fact that you are helping to figure out how the world works is key.