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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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