COLOR PSYCHOLOGY: WHAT COLOR COMMUNICATE

 

How Colors Impact Moods, Feelings, and Behaviors

                                            

                   

                                                   Color is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and even influence physiological reactions. Certain colors have been associated with increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain.

The general model of color psychology relies on six basic principles:

1. Color can carry a specific meaning.
2. Color meaning is either based in learned meaning or biologically innate meaning.
3. The perception of a color causes evaluation automatically by the person perceiving.
4. The evaluation process forces color-motivated behavior.
5. Color usually exerts its influence automatically.
6. Color meaning and effect has to do with context as well.

Psychological Effects of Colors

                                     

Keep in mind that certain shades or tones may result in very different meanings. Also, the context around the color, and even surrounding colors, can have an effect. Think of this as more of a beginning guide to color psychology.

Color Psychology: The Color White

•  purity
• innocence
• cleanliness
• sense of space
• neutrality
• mourning (in some cultures/societies)

Color Psychology: The Color Black

• authority
• power
• strength
• evil
• intelligence
• thinning / slimming
• death or mourning

Color Psychology: The Color Gray

• neutral
• timeless
• practical

Color Psychology: The Color Red

• love
• romance
• gentle
• warmth
• comfort
• energy
• excitement
• intensity
• life
• blood

Color Psychology: The Color Orange

• happy
• energetic
• excitement
• enthusiasm
• warmth
• wealth prosperity
• sophistication
• change
• stimulation

Color Psychology: The Color Yellow

• happiness
• laughter
• cheery
• warmth
• optimism
• hunger
• intensity
• frustration
• anger
• attention-getting

Color Psychology: The Color Green

• natural
• cool
• growth
• money
• health
• envy
• harmony
• calmness
• fertility

Color Psychology: The Color Blue

• calmness
• serenity
• cold
• uncaring
• wisdom
• loyalty
• truth
• focused
• un-appetizing

Color Psychology: The Color Purple

• royalty
• wealth
• sophistication
• wisdom
• exotic
• spiritual
• prosperity
• respect
• mystery

Color Psychology: The Color Brown

• reliability
• stability
• friendship
• sadness
• warmth
• comfort
• security
• natural
• organic
• mourning (in some cultures/societies)

Color Psychology: The Color Pink

• romance
• love
• gentle
• calming
• agitation