A Term in Psychology: The Kimchi Effect

There’s a saying: “You’re influenced by those around you.”

Maybe you’ve heard the Chinese proverb,

“He who stays near vermilion gets stained red; he who stays near ink gets stained black.”

If a positive, energetic person stays in a negative environment filled with complaints for a long time, even they may grow dispirited and lose their enthusiasm for life.
On the other hand, a shy or discouraged person, if placed in a vibrant, positive setting, will gradually become more determined and courageous.

Very often, the environment you live in decides the level of life you reach.
So why is it that your environment can have such a profound influence?

Today, let’s talk about a powerful concept from psychology: the Kimchi Effect.

01. What Is the Kimchi Effect?

The “Kimchi Effect” (sometimes called the “pickling effect”) comes from daily observation:
– If you soak the same vegetables in different brines, and later cook them individually, each will taste completely different.

People are like this too.
Living in different environments for long enough deeply influences your character, temperament, quality, and mindset.
That’s the Kimchi Effect in psychology.

The Classic Kimchi Effect Experiment

Psychologists once designed an experiment to illustrate this:

Two very gentle gorillas were placed in separate rooms, separated by a glass wall. They could see each other.
Each room was filled with mirrors, reflecting the gorilla’s own image.
When each gorilla saw its kind reflection, it stayed happy and stable.

Then, the researchers swapped one gorilla for a third, aggressive gorilla.
The result?
The gentle gorilla soon became irritable, angry, and combative—mirroring its new companion.

The experiment proved:
The environment's effect on an individual runs deep. Who you live and work with, and the atmosphere around you, unconsciously shapes your personality and behavior.

Positive Environment Example:
When you spend time with capable, driven people or in a healthy environment, your working ability and mindset improve.
Negative Environment Example:
Surround yourself with people radiating negative energy, and you’ll start picking up their bad habits, draining your own motivation.

Negative Energy Can Be Contagious

Some people act like “emotional garbage trucks”—dumping negativity wherever they go, complaining about everything.
Deal with them too much and you’ll feel drained and unmotivated.

Workplace Example: How Attitude Spreads

Consider Chen, a passionate newcomer at his office.
He was assigned to Lao Jiang, a veteran full of resentment for being passed over for a promotion.
Jiang constantly complained about the company. Over time, Chen lost his work passion and became full of negative energy.

Your Home Environment Shapes Children Strongly

This effect appears at home, too—especially with children.

Research shows:
- Kids in homes with frequent parental arguments experience anxiety levels 42% higher than those in peaceful homes.
- Children from book-loving families read 2.3 times more than those from average homes.

Your environment is like a huge dye vat.
Every person you spend time with leaves a mark—sometimes obvious, often subtle.
Who you become mostly depends on who you want to be—and what kind of environment you allow in your life.

02. How Do You Manage the Kimchi Effect?

Your environment can make or break you.
So, how do you deal with the Kimchi Effect and harness it for your growth?

1. Intentionally Connect With High-Quality People and Things

You become like those you spend the most time with.

Positive people are honest, responsible, courageous, and love life—they shine like the sun and encourage you to shine too.
Their attitude is contagious, pulling you upward into optimism and growth.

This is why, when choosing a school, workplace, or social group, you have to consider the environment:

When picking a school, check its educational philosophy, teaching staff, and overall student vibe.
When job-hunting, care about workplace culture and leadership values.

“Just like Mencius’s mother moved three times for a better environment, make careful choices about where you study, work, and socialize.”

2. Set Boundaries and Distance Yourself From Negativity

Psychologist William James believed every person has an "energy field"—that human interactions are exchanges of energy.

Spending time with negative people drains your energy and disrupts your mood over time.
Emotional "pollution" builds when surrounded by complainers.

Researchers like Dr. John Gottman at the University of Washington found it takes five positive experiences to offset one negative emotional encounter.

If you encounter a toxic person or place, don’t engage, react, or get involved.
Walk away or ignore negativity when you can.

"A truly good, enduring relationship helps everyone grow—not sink together into negativity."

3. Stay True to Yourself—Live by Your Own Values

Environments do influence us all, but you can strengthen your sense of self.

Alfred Adler’s "separation of tasks" theory:

Each person has their own problems and path.
You can't live someone else’s life for them—and they can’t control yours.

Whenever groupthink emerges (“Everyone’s complaining, so should I too?”), pause.
Instead, ask:

Will this new project help my growth?
Will it advance my career or make me more skilled?
Does this materialistic trend really line up with my values?

Refuse to blindly follow the crowd.
Define your goals, seek the environments and people that genuinely inspire you, and let that guide your actions and attitude.

Stay positive, focused, and remember:

“If you face the sun, you become warmer. Your energy and resilience grow.”

The Kimchi Effect Is Everywhere—And It’s In Your Control

Your environment determines your opportunities, happiness, and even your health.

Avoid getting stuck with toxic people or bad situations.
Always keep thinking for yourself, keep your standards high, and draw nearer to positive influences.

Who you’re with really does shape who you become.

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