Ooohhh Colors!

We all know that colors impact the way we think and often how well we do so. First things first, it’s a matter of psychology. A human’s response to colors is instinctual and nearly instantaneous. Let’s first talk history behind the studies of color and human behavior. Perceptions of color are usually subjective, sort of like art is subjective. Colors can usually be divided into two categories: the warm colors and cool colors. The colors in the red spectrum are the warm colors and include red, orange, and yellow. They usually evoke emotions related to warmth, comfort, and even hostility. The cool colors are in the blue, purple, and green spectrum and usually convey feelings of calm and relaxation, but may also evoke emotions of sadness or indifference. Colors have different meanings in different cultures, and so many psychologists point out that the effect of colors have been exaggerated.

In some cultures, colors are supposed to have healing properties. Therapy through using light is called chromotherapy; using light to heal. To this day, it is still used as a form of alternate therapy. Here is a list of the colors’ supposed effects: RED stimulates the body and mind and also increases circulation. YELLOW stimulates the nerves and purifies the body. ORANGE heals the lungs and increases energy levels. BLUE soothes illnesses and treats pain. INDIGO alleviates skin problems.

Recently published in this New York Times Article, a new study looked at cognitive performance and the colors red, blue, and white. Researchers at the Univeristy of British Columbia conducted tests with 600 people to determine the differences in seeing those colors. The subjects performed tasks with words or images displayed against red, blue, or neutral background colors. It turns out the red groups did better on tests that relate to recall and attention to detail, while blue groups did better with tasks that required imagination. A lot of people can benefit from the study. Advertisers, sport teams, and restauranteurs are probably all interested in this study about colors. More color studies? In 2008, Andrew Elliot of the University of Rochester conducted another study. Men who saw photographs of women with red backgrounds or women in red shirts saw them as more attractive than women with other colors. One explanation is that “people in a happy mood are more creative and less analytic”.

So why do we associate red and blue with the things we do? If you think about it, the color red is used for all sort of emergency lights and warnings. Alarms are painted red, fire hydrants, and rescue vehicles. When we see red, the emotions can be activated without us even being aware of it. Blue is often associated with calmness and relaxation, perhaps because blue is the color of many natural things. The sky and the water is blue.

Let’s go through individual colors now:

BLACK: It’s the color of authority and power. It evokes strong emotions and is a classic color for clothes because it makes people look thinner. However, black can also imply submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black outfits can also be overpowering, and so villians often wear black. Black usually makes people feel inconspicous, a restful emptiness, and a sense of mysterious potential and possibility.

black

WHITE: It symbolizes innocence, purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors wear white coats, so do lab techs, and brides. Brides traditionally wear white because it symbolizes purity. Doctors wear the white to indicate sterility. White is a very popular color because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, it is easily soiled. White aids mental clarity, encourages clearance of obastacles, evokes purification of thoughts or actions, and even signifies a fresh beginning.

white

RED: It usually has more personal associations than any other colors. It is emotionally intense, stimulating a faster heartbeat and breathing. Red clothing gets attention, but is an intense color, so it often provokes quarrels. The more red there is, the more energy is percieved, since the color red is a stimulant. Related to red is pink, which is the most romantic color and is tranquilizing. Red increases enthusiasm, stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence, and gives a sense of protection from fear and anxiety.

red

BLUE: It is overwhelmingly the favorite color of most people. It is the color of the sky and oceans, causing the opposite reaction than red. It makes a viewer feel peaceful and causes the body to produce calming chemicals. That’s why it is usually used in bedrooms. However, blue can also be cold and depressing. People are usually more productive in blue rooms. People who wear blue are seen as trust-worthy, dependable, and committed. Blue effects us both physically and mentally by calming and sedating, cooling, and aiding in intuition.

blue

GREEN: It is the most popular decorating color and symbolizes nature. It is easy on the eye and can improve vision if used properly. To most, it is calming and refreshing. Green also symbolizes fertility and is second to blue as a favorite color. Green is the color of peace and ecology. It soothes, relaxes mentally and physically, helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety, and offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony.

green

YELLOW: It’s cheerful and sunny! Yellow is flashy and an attention-getter. It is an optomistic color, but people lost their temper more often in yellow rooms. It is difficult for the human eye to take it in, so it can be overwhelming. However, it enhances concentration; hence the color of legal pads. It also speeds up metabolism. Golden yellow carries a hope for a better future and instills energy. Yellow is mentally stimulating, stimulates the nervous system, activates memory, and encourages communication.

yellow

PURPLE: It’s the color of royalty, connoting luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also a feminine and romantic color. It is a balance of blue and red, which means it can even cause unrest or uneasiness. Purple is uplifting, calming to the mind and nerves, offers a sense of spirituality, and encourages creativity.

purple

BROWN: It’s a solid color, the color of Earth and is very abundant in nature. Light brown evokes genuineness, however, brown can be sad and wistful. It stands for stability, reliability, and approachability. Brown instills a feeling of wholesomeness, stability, connection with the earth, and offers orderliness.

brown

GRAY: It’s timeless, practical, and solid. It’s a favorite suit color and mixes well with many colors. However, people don’t usually say that gray is their favorite color because it can be associated with loss or depression. Gray can be unsettling and expectant.

gray