According to Britannica, the most important
aspect of color in daily life is probably the one that
is least
defined and most variable. It involves aesthetic and psychological
responses to color and influences art, fashion, commerce,
and even physical and emotional sensations (Britannica:
"color") .
Before we go into details about color psychology it’s
important to understand that the psychological perception
of color is subjective, and only general comments about
its characteristics and uses are going to be made.
The first step is to note that colors
are not universal to all humans in all cultures. Some
languages don’t
have specific words for green, blue, yellow or orange.
In a related example, Eskimos use 17 words for white as
applied to different snow conditions, where in the Northwest
United States there are only 4 or 5. Like color terminology,
color harmony, color preferences, color symbolism, and
other psychological aspects of color are culturally conditioned,
and they vary considerably with both place and historical
period (Britannica: "color").
Another example of cultural difference could be the colors
that are associated with mourning.
In the United States, black is associated, but in other
cultures around the world colors like white, purple, and
gold are used during the mourning period (Britannica: "color").
color symbolism is important in art, religion, politics,
and ceremonials. Symbols that carry strong emotional connotations
can affect color perceptions so that, for example, an
apple or heart shaped figure cut from orange paper may
seem to have a redder hue than a geometric figure cut from
the same paper because of the specific psychological meaning
that is associated with the shape (Britannica: "color").
Factors like age, mental health, and mood
affect the colors we see. People who share distinct personal
traits
then to share color perceptions and preferences (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 176). For
example, people with schizophrenia have been reported to
have abnormal color perception and even
very young people (who are learning to distinguish colors)
usually show a preference for red or orange (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 168). Furthermore,
it has even been suggested that specific colors can have
a therapeutic effect on physical and mental
disabilities (Britannica: "color").
A researcher named Gilbert
Brighouse conducted a study where several hundred college
students were tested to determine
if their reaction times would differ depending on the color
of light they were under. He found that the reactions of
the students were 12% faster than normal under red light,
while green light retarded their responses (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 144). By
this thinking, it could be said that humans are more likely
to respond quicker under bright light than
under dim light. D. B. Harmon stated in 1944 that most
living things tend to orient themselves toward light or
toward brightness. Also, as the energy of stimulation goes
up, response tendency goes with it. In his opinion, therefore,
bright environments will condition the organism for what
he calls avoidant (big-muscle) activity (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 144). This
suggests (to Birren) that brilliance of light may hinder
more sedentary tasks or mental activity. Birren
concludes by stating, “Activities of a muscular nature
are better performed in bright light and amid bright surroundings.
Exacting mental and visual task are better performed with
softer and deeper colors in the environment (though with
ample illumination over the task) (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 144).
Birren,
who I’ve referenced throughout this study, writes
two very interesting sections in his book that relate to
the psychological effects of red and blue. Birren writes
about the much quoted work of Ludwig and Von Ries and their
research regarding the growth of rats under red and blue
light. The rats that grew under the blue light developed
at the same pace as rats that grew under normal day light.
However, the rats that grew under the red light started
out slow, and then exceeded the weight of the blue light
rats. Another researcher named Ellinger points out, “Following
exclusion irradiation with red light, young mice eventually
die, apparently due to vitamin deficiency.” (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 168)
In his notes about blue light, Birren
states, “To
some extent blue light is antagonistic to red. It is said
to promote oxidation in the tissues and to retard hormonal
activity. It has little effect upon the skin but is slightly
germicidal. It would seem only logical that antiseptics
meant to be applied to the skin should be blue, not red
or brown, in order to assure the absorption of red radiation.” (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 128) Because
I don’t have a background in science
I am unable to identify the accuracy of Birren’s
last statement. I think that this would be a good topic
for future research if someone were so inclined to take
it on. From this information, Birren notes that red will
stimulate the autonomic nervous system, while blue will
tend to relax it. The equilibrium of the body, pulse rate,
heart action, respiration, nervous tension, and even digestion
will all be affected by both red and blue light (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 147).
The last part of the color psychology
section will focus on time, length, and weight estimations
by humans
under the influence of different colors. According to
Goldstein (a researcher named in Birren’s book),
red light is likely to be a factor in overestimating time.
Conversely, green and blue tend to be a factor in time
being underestimated. By this thinking, cool hues might
be the best where routine and monotonous tasks are performed,
such as in offices and factories. Warm hues would be suitable
for living rooms, restaurants and cocktail lounges – where
time in apparent “slow motion” might be more
pleasurable (Color
Psychology and Color Therapy, 146). Related
to this, the length of an object (or how we perceive the
length of an object)
is less correct in red light, and more correct under green
and blue lights. In other words, things are likely to seem
longer and bigger under warm light and shorter and smaller
under cool light. Finally, weight is judged as lighter
under bright lights and heavier under darker lights.
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