The psychological impact of color is powerful and can affect both attitude and emotions. Color is what turns a grey and monochromatic world into a vibrant diorama. It empowers, inspires and soothes the human spirit. But its effects can also agitate and trigger a depressed mood. Petula Clark sang about the effect of color on her world in the 1970’s. Jenny Joseph popularized the notion of wearing purple in her famous poem about growing old. Everyone has at least one favorite color that is linked to a feeling, past memory, or thought process. What is the secret of the power that is intrinsic to the spectrum of light that produces what we call colors? How are primary shades of red, blue and yellow able to psychologically impact people’s lives, both positively and negatively?
The mystery of how color affects the human psyche begins light and electromagnetic wave lengths that are absorbed and reflected in space as they bounce from molecule to molecule. Many light studies have been done in an effort to research the relationship that exists between illumination and mood. Some of these studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using light therapy to raise serotonin levels in the human brain. Since light is so closely connected to bands of color, perhaps future studies will reveal that a spectrum of light, broken down into its individual hues, really does impact the body’s neurotransmitters and affect mood.
A known correlation exists between certain colors and their associated behavioral responses. Child psychologists advocate painting a hyperactive child’s bedroom walls blue to create a tranquil atmosphere, so that the child will be able to self-soothe and fall asleep. Red has often been associated with a heightened sense of arousal or danger. It has also be linked to a feeling of empowerment. Studies done by the University of British Columbia have found that red backgrounds on computer screens increase the attention to detail, while blue-back lit screens stimulate creativity. Pale green has become a well-liked color for doctor’s offices because studies have suggested that its calming affect lowers blood pressure. Green is also associated with growth and youthfulness. The popularized slogan, “going green” illustrates the relationship that exists between this color and the ecological movement’s thrust toward restoring balance in nature.
Ultimately, the use of a particular color has a lot to do with what it represents to each individual. Scientists believe that every person has an particular set of color prompts based on cultural nuances as well as personal experiences. While one individual may choose a certain color because of the pleasant recollections it bring to mind, another will reject the same color because it is associated with an unhappy memory.
Various colors have been shown to have a psychological impact on human emotions. Consider these examples of how particular colors are used to describe emotional states within the context of various situations.
1. “I was a bit under the weather last week, but now, I’m in the pink.”
2. “You are looking a bit green around gills. Was it something you ate?”
3. “He made me so angry, I was seeing red!”
4. “I guess I’m just feeling a bit blue today.”
5. “You look white as a ghost.”
In each of these sentences, a color has been used as a descriptor to represent an intense emotional response. Such visual images imprint themselves on both conscious and unconscious parts of the mind through sensory integration. The phrase, “green around the gills,” conjures up the image of a face that is a ghastly shade of green that is then associated with feeling ill. Color, used in this way, stimulates the psyche.
The environment is awash with color. Human beings interpret the world through its many shades and degrees of pigmentation. Colors imprint themselves upon the windows of the mind which is why they can still be vividly seen with the eyes closed. Colors influence thoughts and feelings and trigger memories. The lyricist, Kira Willey has summed up the impact of color upon a human life by writing that she is green, grey, orange, red, black, purple, yellow, and blue. Which color are you? Think about it because the answer may just tell you something important about your emotional makeup..
