Any psychology people?

[Agent]

Im looking for information / books on how colour and architecture effects people.
For example, do people feel more comfortable sitting in a room with white light or blue light (although i know there is a lot of subjectivity here).
Likewise, why do we associate red with danger, green with safe – those kind of things

The architecture bit is more towards how it affects peoples moods and feelings. Think of a “ghost house” – why do people find them scary and uncomfortable?

Im looking for papers / books / scientific information on the subject as much as possible, although personal input into why is welcomed.

Thanks for any help

[tiggerai]

I'm feeling a bit psychic.... I think Ade's online.


Although that's a really interesting subject, i'd be interested in other people's thoughts.


*sorry - i am a terrible thread hijacker... it's the way my mind works... *

[Agent]

trust you

[Kumagoro]

Colour and associated meaning is sociological I think.

[Whiternoise]

I would imagine that the red/green danger/safe thing is because it is drilled into you from a young age - ie almost everything that serves as a warning (most noticeably signs) is red. I don't take psychology.. so that's just my opinion

[TooNice]

I am more into social psychology.

It's kinda funny you ask that. There was a coursework in building technology that relates to this (though colour is only one aspect explored).

I think the context matters too. Red can be associated with love. Red has a positive association in chinese culture: you'll see it in traditional weddings as a sign of good fortune. It is not avoided in chinese restaurant (red lanterns, exterior walls, even interior walls) etc.

But even then, when it comes to traffic sign, red is almost universally used for 'stop'. Perhaps (note I've not studied this at aspect at all) it is also the association with blood.

[Lee H]

http://www.mood-factory.com/research.html

Let me ask my mate tonight as she's doing psychology and should know more about this than me.

[pollaxe]

Colour and associated meaning will tend to vary by culture, I believe..

On a similar note I recall a history lecturer of mine comparing the folk tales of northern and southern Europe and how the more disturbing ones come from the north. She wondered whether it was something to do with darker conditions.. it was just an aside in one lecture but it was interesting.

I studied psychology at AS Level (many years ago) and I'm sure I recalled someone talking about an experiment on colour and moods and that some blind people were also affected by the colours (but that could've been some New Agey stuff.)

[Ferral]

I was doing a Market Research course just before christmas and he mentioned red a lot. Apparently it is a strong colour and makes people take notice in you (power colour basically) if you are wearing it.

When it comes to food you will notice that Mc D's and Little Chef etc use red in their signs. Apparently this also makes people hungry and is associated with food.

[pollaxe]

^That reminds me, I remember reading that yellow text on a black background is supposed to be important for advertising/people taking notice too... (allegedly).

[g8ina]

Yellow on charcoal grey is said to give the best visibility for partially sighted folk (RNIB source while working at CSM, 1995).

That may have some bearing on advertising.

I find that coloured lighting sets different moods/feelings for me. Daylight blue bulbs, while not emitting blue light, make me feel much more awake than say fluorescent or incandescant bulbs, and dim red lighting ( eg, a darkroom) always makes me feel sleepy.

Our living room is decorated in a terracotta tone, a sort of deep orange/umber. I feel very relaxed in this room, whilst the kitchen (all white) makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I don't lounge about in the kitchen I just cook there, then leave.

Lots of reds and blacks in the bedroom, again, makes me feel sleepy.

Personally, I *like* green, and dislike orange (as in orange fruit colour)