Psychology of color

Psychology of color studies how colors impact moods, feelings and psychology of people.

Since the ancient days people attempted to use colors for the purposes of healing. Chromotherapy (sometimes referred as color therapy and colorology) was used in Ancient Egypt and Ancient China. For instance, red color was deemed to stimulate the body and mind and to increase the blood circulation, while yellow was thought to stimulate nerves and purify the body. Orange was used for healing the lungs and to increase energy levels. Blue was deemed to soothe illness and ease the pains.

Chromotherapy is still used today as alternative medicine method. Its practitioners claim that a therapist can use color and light to balance energy wherever a person’s body be lacking.

Most of modern psychologists look at color therapy sceptically. They argue that the supposed effects of color have been exaggerated. Also colors also have different meanings in different cultures. Moreover, the mood-altering effects of color are only be temporary.

While colors truly often have different meanings in different cultures, modern researchers that studied psychology of color have generally found the following to be accurate:

Black
Black is often regarded as color of authority and power. However, in many cultures it is deemed to be associated with death and mourning. It is also popular in fashion for its slimming quality.

White
White represents purity or innocence, doctors and nurses wear it to imply sterility. White is bright and can create a sense of space or add highlights. This is why the rooms are often painted completely white. It is considered to be a summer color. Because of its neutrality, it is popular in fashion and decorating.

Red
Red is a bright, warm color that evokes strong emotion. It is considered to be color of love. It stimulates faster heartbeat and breathing. Red is often used as accent color, this is why the red

objects have to be done perfectly, because they will attract attention.

Blue
Blue is considered to be a calming color, color of peace and tranquility. It is the favorite color for many people, especially men. Blue can lower pulse rate and body temperature. People are more productive in blue rooms. The research shows that weightlifters can handle heavier weights if the walls of the gym are blue. It is also sometimes regarded as cold and depressing color.

Green
Green is a symbol of nature. This calming and refreshing color is the easiest for the eye. It improves vision. In fact the research shows that it can improve reading ability and comprehension. It is also a symbol of health.

Yellow
Yellow is the hardest color for the eye due to the amount of light that it reflects. Despite it is regarded as an optimistic and cheerful color, many people are most likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is the attention-getter and deemed to improve concentration. It is also thought to increase metabolism.

Now when you learned about psychology of color, how do these colors affect you?