How Red Effects Human Emotion and Behavior

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How Red Effects Human Emotion and Behavior
There is an influence constantly working on our minds, one that we may not have even noticed. It follows us everywhere, and we can't escape it no matter how hard we try. It doesn't make a sound or move, it just silently hides in plain sight effecting the way we think. Colors are one of the most effective yet least thought about influences on our minds. How come seemingly every super hero has a red suit? Or why are the super villains always wearing black? Why are hospitals never painted red, and most businesses have white, yellow, and red for their logo colors? The most emotionally intense color is arguably red. Even though we don't always notice it, red effects our moods, how we perceive others, our health, and even how we talk. It also is symbolism for a wide range of things we see everyday.
Moods
The least noticeable effect that red has on us is how it can change our mood. No one would think to blame it on a color, it seems a little silly doesn't it? But in fact, it does. It can stir up a range of emotions from passion and love to violence and warfare (Ahmed Abdul-Sherif). Imagine you walk into a room. Red walls, red furniture, red carpet, and red lighting taking over the whole room. Without trying, your mind would automatically speed up. You would feel more tense, more aggressive, and feel a flood of emergency or danger even without trying. Since red is such a powerful color, rarely ever will you see a hospital painted the color red. "Seeing red in competitive situations such as written examinations lead to worse performance" (someone) Red on the cover of an IQ test has more times than not led to a worse score (someone) because it would quietly push danger, fear, and unneeded energy ...

... middle of paper ...

... seems to dominate the field in its wide range of emotions that effect our moods, our health, our language, along with all the many things it symbolizes.

Works Cited

Ahmed Abdul-Sherif. "What is it all about the colour red?." MG. 11 March 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. .

Hagen, Susan . "Psychological Study Reveals That Red Enhances Men's Attracti." Psychological Study Reveals That Red Enhances Men's Attracti. Rochester University, 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 28 Oct. 2008. .

Johnson, David . "Color Psychology." Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Web. 28 Oct. 2007. .

Plitnick, B , MG Figueiro, B Wood and MS Rea. "The Effects Of Red And Blue Light On Alertness And Mood At N." Lighting Research And Technology 2 Mar. 2010. Web. 2012. .

Tamkins, Theresa . "Wearing red may boost your sex appeal." CNN Health. CNN, 28 October 2008. Web. 28 Oct. 2008..

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