Color studies in applied psychology and social sciences: An overview

Abstract

Our article presents a comprehensive overview of studies on colour from the perspective of applied psychology and social sciences. It discusses major findings from the psychology of colour applied to marketing, business, politics and sports as well as to problems connected with using color tests in psychological diagnoses. Moreover, we present an overview of particularly interesting colour studies on synaesthesia related to cognitive and applied psychology as well as psycholinguistics. Finally, we discuss the most recent trends in investigations into applied colour psychology as well as potential directions for further research. Streszczenie:Artykuł stanowi szczegółowy przegląd przeprowadzonych badań nad kolorem z perspektywy psychologii stosowanej i nauk społecznych. Omówione zostały główne wyniki badań dotyczących psychologii koloru z zakresu marketingu, biznesu, polityki i sportu jak i problemy związane z zastosowaniem testów kolorów w diagnozie psychologicznej. Ponadto analizie zostały poddane szczególnie interesujące studia nad synestezją z zakresu koloru będące na pograniczu psychologii kognitywnej i stosowanej jak i psycholingwistyki. Artykuł poglądowy kończy prezentacja najnowszych trendów w psychologii koloru oraz dyskusja dotycząca kierunków dalszych badań.

Free drawing learning to recognize children’s characters

“…Their favorite colors are crimson, orange, yellow and pink. These colors help them unleash their feeling energies, making them think greater [39], [40]. Kids in the age bracket, who choose cold colors like blue and green at warmer hues, are usually more circumspect and less spontaneous.…”

“…Color is also a symbol in recognizing the personality possessed by children, especially those who have not entered school age. This can be seen from the colors that are often used by children in the drawing process [39], [41]. The color chosen by the child is not just decoration, but also has meaning.…”

A Historically Based Review of Empirical Work on Color and Psychological Functioning: Content, Methods, and Recommendations for Future Research

“…For example, if one seeks to determine the influence of a color property (e.g., hue) on a dependent variable, one must control for the other color properties (e.g., lightness and chroma) or systematically vary the values of the other color properties. This was also recognized as important in early research and reviews (Baker, 1900; Bullough, 1908; Gordon, 1912; Lane, 1900; McDougall, 1908; Titchner, 1901; Valentine, 1914), and has been repeatedly highlighted throughout the decades (Child et al, 1968; Crozier, 1999; Dorcus, 1926; Elliot & Aarts, 2011; Erwin et al, 1961; Gelineau, 1981; Guilford, 1940; Hagtvedt & Brasel, 2017; Labrecque, Patrick, & Milne, 2013; Nourse & Welch, 1971; O’Connor, 2011; Pressey, 1921; Sorokowski & Wrembrel, 2014; Staples, 1932; Taft, 1997; Takahashi, 2005; Thönes et al, 2018; Werner & Wooten, 1979). Nevertheless, it has been largely ignored until the present decade (the 1970s being an exception; e.g., Helson & Lansford, 1970; Hopson, Cogan, & Batson, 1971), and even in current empirical work, controlling color properties remains the distinct exception rather than the rule.…”

Color War. Does Color Influence the Perception of Political Messages?

“…Sawer (2007) affirms, for example, that the use of colors in politics dates back to the first political parties of ancient Greece and Rome. This association has linked red to revolutionary movements and workers' parties, blue to conservatives, and green to environmentalists ones (Sawer, 2007; Sorokowski & Wrembel, 2014). Other colors also possess these sociopolitical characteristics, for example, pink, used as a marker of gender stereotypes (Cunningham & Macrae, 2011; Koller, 2008).…”