Color psychology
Encyclopedia
Color psychology is the study of color
as a factor in human behavior. This includes very diverse studies, ranging from quantifying individual color preference to investigating the relationship between shirt color and match outcome in English football.
pills is reported to be a factor in effectiveness, with "hot-colored" pills working better as stimulants and "cool-colored" pills working better as depressants. This relationship is believed to be a consequence of the patient's expectations and not a direct effect of the color itself. Consequently, these effects appear to be culture-dependent.
installed blue street lighting in certain neighborhoods and subsequently reported the anecdotal finding of reduced crime in these areas. This report was picked up by several news outlets. A railroad company in Japan
installed blue lighting on its stations in October 2009 in an effort to reduce the number of suicide
attempts, although the effect of this technique has been questioned.
The hues in the blue range have been shown to have the highest preference amongst people.
There is evidence that suggests that people tend to prefer certain colors depending on the ambient temperature. People who are cold prefer warm colors like red and yellow while people who are hot prefer cool colors like blue and green.
Studies have shown that colors have an effect on people's moods and emotions. One problem that exists is that these studies are inconsistent on determining which colors bring out or reflect specific moods and emotions. In other words, the relationship between color and behavioral response exists but there hasn't been any consistency as to how it exists.
Some research has concluded that women tend to feel pleasant seeing "warm" colors while men tend to feel pleasant seeing "cool" colors.
A few studies have shown that cultural background has a strong influence on color preference. These studies have shown that people from the same region regardless of race will have the same color preferences. Also, one region may have different preferences than another region (i.e., a different country or a different area of the same country), regardless of race.
Children's preferences for colors they find to be pleasant and comforting can be changed and can vary, while adult color preference is usually non-malleable.
is most prominently associated with the pioneering stages of color psychology; he was the first to delve into the topic and turn it into a field of inquiry in its own right. Jung was most interested in colors’ properties and meanings, as well as in art’s potential as a tool for psychotherapy
. His studies in and writings on color symbolism cover a broad range of topics, from mandala
s to the works of Picasso to the near-universal sovereignty of the color gold, the lattermost of which, according to Charles A. Riley II, “expresses … the apex of spirituality, and intuition”. In pursuing his studies of color usage and effects across cultures and time periods, as well as in examining his patients’ self-created mandalas, Jung attempted to unlock and develop a language, or code, the ciphers of which would be colors. He looked to alchemy
to further his understanding of the secret language of color, finding the key to his research in alchemical transmutation. His work has historically informed the modern field of color psychology, which is currently studied most intensively for marketing purposes, on the one hand, and by academic scholars on the other. Color psychology and color symbolism have been expounded upon by intellectuals and academics from different fields of specialization, as can be noted in papers published for an Eranos
conference on color symbolism.
cannot be ruled out. Moreover, much evidence is anecdotal (e.g. the blue street lighting case) or based on data that includes confounders
(e.g. the shirt-color correlation). Chromotherapy
, a form of alternative medicine
, is based on the hypothesis that distinct colors have health
effects unrelated to the aforementioned placebo effect. Such profound claims are the subject of skepticism
and are often regarded as pseudoscience
.
Color
Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...
as a factor in human behavior. This includes very diverse studies, ranging from quantifying individual color preference to investigating the relationship between shirt color and match outcome in English football.
Placebo effect
The color of placeboPlacebo
A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
pills is reported to be a factor in effectiveness, with "hot-colored" pills working better as stimulants and "cool-colored" pills working better as depressants. This relationship is believed to be a consequence of the patient's expectations and not a direct effect of the color itself. Consequently, these effects appear to be culture-dependent.
Blue public lighting
In 2000, GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
installed blue street lighting in certain neighborhoods and subsequently reported the anecdotal finding of reduced crime in these areas. This report was picked up by several news outlets. A railroad company in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
installed blue lighting on its stations in October 2009 in an effort to reduce the number of suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
attempts, although the effect of this technique has been questioned.
Use of color to create ambiance
Color has long been used to create feelings of coziness or spaciousness. However, how people are affected by different color stimuli varies from person to person.The hues in the blue range have been shown to have the highest preference amongst people.
There is evidence that suggests that people tend to prefer certain colors depending on the ambient temperature. People who are cold prefer warm colors like red and yellow while people who are hot prefer cool colors like blue and green.
Studies have shown that colors have an effect on people's moods and emotions. One problem that exists is that these studies are inconsistent on determining which colors bring out or reflect specific moods and emotions. In other words, the relationship between color and behavioral response exists but there hasn't been any consistency as to how it exists.
Some research has concluded that women tend to feel pleasant seeing "warm" colors while men tend to feel pleasant seeing "cool" colors.
A few studies have shown that cultural background has a strong influence on color preference. These studies have shown that people from the same region regardless of race will have the same color preferences. Also, one region may have different preferences than another region (i.e., a different country or a different area of the same country), regardless of race.
Children's preferences for colors they find to be pleasant and comforting can be changed and can vary, while adult color preference is usually non-malleable.
Light, color, and surroundings
Light and color can influence how people perceive the area around them. Different light sources affect how the colors of walls and other objects are seen. Specific hues of colors seen under natural sunlight may vary when seen under the light from an incandescent (tungsten) light-bulb: lighter colors may appear to be more orange or "brownish" and darker colors may appear even darker. Light and the color of an object can affect how one perceives its positioning. If light or shadow, or the color of the object, masks an object's true contour (outline of a figure) it can appear to be shaped differently than it really is. Objects under a uniform light-source will promote better impression of three-dimensional shape. Although more evidence is needed, it is believed that the color of objects can affect how one perceives their motion. Under a uniform light source objects of different color can more easily be seen moving in different directions. However, under variable light sources, which are more often encountered, the motion of objects can be masked or not perceived as easily because one's mind is preoccupied with trying to differentiate the contour and color of the objects.Color in Jungian psychology
Carl JungJung
Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology.Jung may also refer to:* Jung * JUNG, Java Universal Network/Graph Framework-See also:...
is most prominently associated with the pioneering stages of color psychology; he was the first to delve into the topic and turn it into a field of inquiry in its own right. Jung was most interested in colors’ properties and meanings, as well as in art’s potential as a tool for psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
. His studies in and writings on color symbolism cover a broad range of topics, from mandala
Mandala
Maṇḍala is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". In the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form. The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point...
s to the works of Picasso to the near-universal sovereignty of the color gold, the lattermost of which, according to Charles A. Riley II, “expresses … the apex of spirituality, and intuition”. In pursuing his studies of color usage and effects across cultures and time periods, as well as in examining his patients’ self-created mandalas, Jung attempted to unlock and develop a language, or code, the ciphers of which would be colors. He looked to alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
to further his understanding of the secret language of color, finding the key to his research in alchemical transmutation. His work has historically informed the modern field of color psychology, which is currently studied most intensively for marketing purposes, on the one hand, and by academic scholars on the other. Color psychology and color symbolism have been expounded upon by intellectuals and academics from different fields of specialization, as can be noted in papers published for an Eranos
Eranos
Eranos is an intellectual discussion group dedicated to the study of psychology, religion, philosophy and spirituality which has met annually in Switzerland since 1933....
conference on color symbolism.
Criticism
Inherent difficulties in properly controlling trials of color's effect on human beings mean that a subject's expectations and cultural biasBias
Bias is an inclination to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of alternatives. Bias can come in many forms.-In judgement and decision making:...
cannot be ruled out. Moreover, much evidence is anecdotal (e.g. the blue street lighting case) or based on data that includes confounders
Confounding
In statistics, a confounding variable is an extraneous variable in a statistical model that correlates with both the dependent variable and the independent variable...
(e.g. the shirt-color correlation). Chromotherapy
Chromotherapy
Chromotherapy, sometimes called color therapy, colorology or cromatherapy, is an alternative medicine method. It is said that a therapist trained in chromotherapy can use color and light to balance "energy" wherever a person's body be lacking, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental...
, a form of alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
, is based on the hypothesis that distinct colors have health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
effects unrelated to the aforementioned placebo effect. Such profound claims are the subject of skepticism
Skepticism
Skepticism has many definitions, but generally refers to any questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or opinions/beliefs stated as facts, or doubt regarding claims that are taken for granted elsewhere...
and are often regarded as pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
.
See also
- Color symbolismColor symbolismColor symbolism in art and anthropology refers to the use of color as a symbol in various cultures. There is great diversity in the use of colors and their associations between cultures and even within the same culture in different time periods. In fact, the same color may have very different...
- Color visionColor visionColor vision is the capacity of an organism or machine to distinguish objects based on the wavelengths of the light they reflect, emit, or transmit...
- Visual perceptionVisual perceptionVisual perception is the ability to interpret information and surroundings from the effects of visible light reaching the eye. The resulting perception is also known as eyesight, sight, or vision...
- Lüscher color testLüscher color testThe Lüscher color test is a psychological test invented by Dr. Max Lüscher in Basel, Switzerland.Max Lüscher believed that sensory perception of color is objective and universally shared by all, but that color preferences are subjective, and that this distinction allows subjective states to be...