Who knew! I always thought that colors were just pretty. But there is a whole science behind colors and how they can affect human beings—physically, psychologically, and emotionally—called Color Psychology.
Did you know? – Your age and cultural background can affect how you respond to colors.
This subject is too broad to explain in this one article, so I am going to share just a few specific topics. The source material will be included to allow you to visit the websites yourself to find out more.
The Meanings of Colors
Red – passion, excitement, love
Orange – warmth, kindness, joy
Yellow – hope, joy, danger
Green – nature, growth, freshness
Blue – wisdom, hope, reason, peace, loyalty
Purple – mysterious, noble, glamorous
Black – noble, fear, sadness
White – truth, relief
A 2020 study that surveyed the emotional associations to color of 4,598 people from 30 different countries found that certain colors are associated with specific emotions:
68% and 50%
associated red and pink, respectively, with love
35% and 43%
associated blue and white, respectively, with relief
39%
associated green with contentment
52% and 44%
associated yellow and orange, respectively, with joy
51%
associated black with sadness
Chromotherapy (Color Therapy)
Ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, used color to heal, and it is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment.
Red – used to stimulate the body and mind, and increase circulation.
Yellow – stimulates the nerves and purifies the body.
Orange – increases energy levels and heals the lungs.
Blue – believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
How Much Influence?
Research has found that color can impact people in surprising ways. For example, white-colored pills are associated with greater pain relief and red pills are thought to be more stimulating.
However, at this time, there are still many unanswered questions regarding Color Psychology.
How do color associations develop?
How powerful is its influence on real-world behavior?
Can color be used to increase work productivity?
Do certain personality types prefer specific colors?
Interestingly, one study found that by exposing students to the color red before they took an exam resulted in a negative impact on their test performance. A segment described in the study included giving 71 college students participant numbers colored either, red, green, or black prior to a five-minute test. The results showed that the students with the red participant numbers tested 20% lower than those with the participant numbers in green and black. One theory is that the reduced scores for the red group might be because teachers grade in red; too much red on your test paper is not an encouraging thing.
A person might prefer brighter, more attention-getting colors when they are young, but are drawn to more traditional colors as they age.
Colors can play an important role in communication, creating moods, and influencing decisions. They can influence what you buy, what you wear, and how you decorate your surroundings.
Did you know? Colors are used in the Bible, too—Blue for faith; purple for royalty; white for purity. A good Sabbath activity, go on a Bible scavenger hunt for more colors and what they represent.
Color may have an influence on how we feel and act, but it is still subject to personal, cultural, and situational factors, and more scientific research is needed.
So, until we know more, let’s all go out and have an orange day!
Sources: webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-color-psychology; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology; awpnow.com/main/2016/09/color-psychology