The Romantic Red Effect

The romantic red effect occurs when men are more attracted to women displaying the color red. This may be through the flushing of the cheeks during women’s ovulations or wearing red lipstick. The romantic red effect fits within the color-in-context theory because in the context of attraction, heterosexual males are more attracted women in red, while in the context of danger, red may give off a signal of avoidance.

To test the romantic red effect, Elliot et al conducted five experiments. For experiment 3, the researchers conducted a self-report study where participants reported their level of attraction using a rating scale. The researchers operationalized the independent variable of the red and gray conditions as changing the background colors behind female photos and operationalized the dependent variable of attraction as the participant’s rating of the women. The result of experiment 3 was that men viewed women as more attractive on a red background than a

In a sociocultural perspective, the color red would have an effect on others because group norms guide our thought and behavior. If all people wearing red were considered promiscuous because of a societal norm, we will also view red as promiscuous. In a bio-social perspective, the color red would have an effect on people’s perception of others because the thoughts and behaviors have been passed down genetically. Therefore, if our ancestors believed that seeing red was attractive, we may believe the same because we have inherited that thought and behavior. In a behaviorism perspective, the color red would have an effect on people’s perception of others because organisms are designed to seek pleasure and avoid pain. If the color red can give us our biological or psychological needs – such as food or sex – we will tend to seek it; however, if the color red is of something detrimental to our well being – such as signs of danger – we will avoid