Color Psychology

What is color psychology you might ask? well, it's the study of color of course! It's the science of how various colors can impact our emotions.

If you picked the right answer to the question above, did you even have to think about it? No! You just immediately knew that the color that correlates with happiness is green and/or yellow.

We as humans are capable of doing so many things, and one of them is interpreting common things without a second thought.

Colors like red, orange, and yellow belong to the warm end of the color spectrum. These warm colors can stimulate a variety of emotions, from comfort and warmth to anger and aggression.

Colors such as blue, purple, and green fall on the cool side of the spectrum. These cool colors are frequently associated with calmness, but they may also evoke emotions of sadness or indifference.

Recently, some new terms have come into use. People have been using the phrase "he's a green flag" or "he's a red flag". This simply means that the man or woman possesses the traits of a good person or someone with bad traits. A person with green flags will provide stability and calmness, while a person with red flags may cause anger or aggravation. I am not saying that everything you feel is associated with colors, but some people categorize their bad vs. good emotions with colors, similarly to the red flags or green flags.

In a study from 2020, researchers surveyed 4,598 people from 30 different countries to understand how colors are associated with emotions. Here are the main findings:

• Black: 51% of people said it made them feel sad.
• White: 43% associated it with feeling relieved.
• Red: 68% linked it to love.
• Blue: 35% felt relief when seeing blue.
• Green: 39% found it comforting.
• Yellow: 52% associated it with joy.
• Purple: 25% reported feeling pleasure with purple.
• Brown: 36% linked it to disgust.
• Orange: 44% associated it with joy.
• Pink: 50% linked it to love.

There was another study done that showcased the correlation between emotions and facial expression with context/background. The main idea behind the study is that context matters a lot in how we perceive emotions in everyday life. The study suggests that our understanding of someone's feelings can be influenced by what's happening around them, shaping how we see their facial expressions and other cues.

Colors indeed serve as powerful metaphors for the context and background of people's emotions. Just as we assign meanings to different colors in our environment, we also associate certain traits and emotions with individuals and settings. Consider two individuals, Person A and Person B, whose characteristics evoke specific color associations. Person A, with their warning signs and raised concerns, can be likened to the cautionary red flag, signaling potential danger or trouble. Conversely, Person B, embodying trustworthiness, is akin to the comforting green flag, symbolizing safety and reliability. Environments also play a significant role in shaping our emotional experiences. In a secure and peaceful setting like Environment A, we may feel at ease and content. Conversely, in a more unsettling environment like Environment B, feelings of anxiety and discomfort may arise. Our interactions with others can vary greatly depending on the setting, influencing the way we perceive and express emotions. Colors act as potent symbols, representing the elements that impact our emotional responses. Vibrant hues such as red and orange can evoke passion and intensity, reflecting personalities with bold and expressive traits. Conversely, cool tones like green promote tranquility, mirroring introverted qualities or subtle expressions. Just as colors blend to form various shades, emotions are intricate and multifaceted, influenced by a myriad of factors including body language, vocal inflections, and external cues. Recognizing these parallels can deepen our understanding of others' emotions, allowing us to appreciate the complexity and subtleties inherent in human experience.