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What Colour Do

Tom Mellish
OP Contributor

Ever wonder if the colour of a study, classroom, or
lecture hall affects your ability to learn? Well, true
believers, look no further. This week we pry the lid
off the paint can.

“Until now, how people responded emotionally to
colour was the domain of artists and designers who
could not substantiate their claims in scientific
terms. But now it’s proven. Colour affects OUr EMO
tions,” says Dr James Nobbs of Leeds Universit
the UK. What follows are some theorj
tional, physical and behavioural ¢

Colour association is learned

 
  
 

ects of colour.
wm. the sata in
which we live, and between cultures colon?”

ism can vary dramatically. Many languages on
contained two colour terms, equal to white and
black. Of 98 languages studied, the highest number
of basic colour terms have been found in English—
11: black, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue;

tan, and gold.

Colour is light, and light is elg
tion, or energy. In the physica
colours; there are only light

iological functions respond to specific colours.
Different light wavelengths, or colours, have differ-
ent effects on physical and psychological functions.
The colour red stimulates the sympathetic part of
the autonomic nervous system, while blue stimu-
lates the parasympathetic part. Human skin acts like
a prism, converting spectral colours to chemical
reactions within the body. People with the same
health deficiency share similar colour deficiency, and
gravitate towards similar colours.

The basic colours each have their own positive and
negative psychological properties.

Red light has the longest wavelength and the slow-
est vibratory rate. Being the longest wavelength, red
is a powerful colour. Red light has been shown to
stimulate the heart, build up red blood cells, and
thus blood circulation. Red stimulates vivid emo-
tions of the right brain and has the effect of stimu-
lating people to make quick decisions and j
expectations. Although not technically the fnost vis-

impatient and even angry.

Orange is, psychological

   
  

  

orange is stimulating and reaction to it is a combi-
nation of the physical and the emotional. It is the
happy colour par excellence. It frees emotions, pro-
motes self-esteem and the capacity to forgive. This
stimulating colour fights depression and cultivates
good humour. Lighter hues such as opt and apri-

 
  

 
 

You Study In?

cot restore nervous energy. Orange has a declassify-
ing, broad appeal. It can be used to indicate that a
product is suitable for everyone, and can make an
expensive product seem more affordable. Orange
focuses the mind on the physical comforts of food
and warmth and is very passionate and sensual. It is.

a good colour for kitchens.andeditting® areas or an

wnaerive place. “Orange i inspires angetiviggtites people
ink
f'the emo- | deptessed. Sociable extroyérts and tflose who need
' chedring up favour ip “Orange issone of tht least

» fav a colours — an office. Used 90

whio atherwise are apathetic uninterested or

oF, eases anxiety and su eg Tivolity

/ can
ay
STL Lyrae intellectual ace

  
 
 
 
  
 
   
  

ment and the capacity for decision-making. It pro-
motes the assimilation of new ideas and the capaci-
ty for ynderstanding varying points of view.
Moreover, it s@eng; that yellow helps people become
more ofganized and®
Myof it, or th

other tones fy a colo

 
  

adope an optimistic attitude
fong’t igne in relation to the
f schertie, can arise self-estee
to plummet, ¢ rise to fegpahid at a Kiety. Coup]
fight more and babigs crynore in lemda-coloufed
rooms. Bright lefaon yellow is the most eyésfati:

ing color. It also spe@ds metabolism. Yellow is 1
good color for notepads

Too much

 

    

  

diving

 
     

        
       
  
    
  
   
 
     
          

and monitor backgr@t
Pale shades of yellow, on*he other hand, mean
unfavourable emotions like en¥y or a“tendert”
plotting and intrigue.
Green, being in the centre of the sp trum! ig t
colour of balance. It is the easiest wavelength on
eyes and can improve vision. Green is considefed the
most restful colour. It soothes the nervous system
and promotes deep, slow breathing. The “green
rooms” are designed for people who are waiting to

appear on TV to sit and relax. Green is also a popu-

  

water, oa litth

   
   

it. Bee Ree.
hidden ef

 

colour of the intellect. It is relaxing for the eyes and
cheering for the mind. Blue relaxes the human nerv-
ous system. It has a sobering effect on the mind and
can cause people to be more contemplative, which is
the opposite of the physical reaction to red. Blue
surroundings, if not too dark, increase productivity.
Students score better in blue rooms and retain more

    
     
   
   
    
   
 
  
 
 

lar co our in hospitals because it relaxes a _ ds

itiye level, we on

  

i sain and lower blood pressure. Blue isthe ,

October 16, 2002

 

when reading information written in blue text.
Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter,
soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration.
It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects
do not a to be as close to us as red ones.
oPeagebalyer ‘ayquil blue, a good colour for bedrooms,
causes, a . bé dy to produce calming chemicals.
Wearing blue t@ job interviews indicates dedication
and loyalty. ‘Mest North American consumers like
blue. Itjis a, pop colour. far rooms that require con-
centzationfee pronotes Yn intellectual process.

 
   
  

     
   
  
 
  
  
    
  
  
   
 
 
 
  
   
      
  
      
      
      

  

chy “People who favoupit are cl@ver and industrious, but

not always crea ive. They)

dutiful, and

are exceptionally just,
Blue is thie least appetizing colour

t shades of blue can feel

warmer shi
Violet,
hardest |

Being | t

e, is the shortest and
e eyes to discriminate.

o achieve a higher spiritu-
fsed to purify the air. In psychi-

becuse of its calming effects to
suffer from fears and obsessions.

 
 

fatty, violet is used;
yeat patients wh¢
According to p§ychologists, violet contributes to
mental equilibrijim. In addition, it is associated with
a sense of the

  
 

aftistic, music, intuition and spiritual-
ity. It promotés sensitivity and compassion. It takes
awareness to § higher level of thought, even into the
of spi Hitual values. It is an introverting colour
utages deep contemplation, or meditation.
jiations with royalty and usually commu-
p finest possible quality. Excessive use of
dn bring about too much introspection and
0 ie ane of it communicates something cheap
#8ty, fastee than any other’ colour. Used incor-
rectly it can lead f,introversion and suppression.

White is ion. In effect, it reflects the
ll force of the P éCtrumbip to our eyes. White push-
es*everything ; om its

diffe en) atly fy om 5 ;

otal re

rE creating barriers, but

  
 

   
 
   
   
  

é concept of sterility can also be negative.
es a static existence. The negative effect
of white on wat

es

feel garish.
chological prop ties It i is, | |

  
 
 

   
   
   
 
    

Pure grey is the onl that has no direct psy-

owever, quite suppres-

ditioned to draw" Aid prepare for hibernation.
Unless the precise tone is right, grey has a dampen-
ing effect on other colours used with it. Heavy use
of grey usually indicates a lack of self-assurance and
a fear of exposure.

Black is essentially the absence of light. Used pos-
Continued on page 12

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