Mood rings were a popular novelty item in the 1970s that claimed to reveal a person’s mood by changing colors based on their body temperature. But how accurately do these rings actually detect emotions? Let’s take a closer look at how mood rings work and what the science says.
How Mood Rings Work
A mood ring contains special liquid crystals that are sensitive to changes in temperature. The ring is designed to be worn on the finger, where it can detect subtle fluctuations in the temperature of the skin.
Here’s a quick overview of how mood rings work:
– The ring contains thermochromic liquid crystals – crystals that change color based on temperature.
– These crystals are sealed in a clear glass or quartz stone, along with the control liquid.
– Body heat from the finger warms the crystals and causes them to twist into new alignments.
– Different crystal alignments reflect different wavelengths of light, resulting in a color change.
– A “mood” is assigned to each color based on the assumed temperature of the finger.
So essentially, mood rings rely on the premise that finger temperature changes with mood due to variations in blood flow. A warmer finger indicates more blood flow, which is said to correlate with emotions like passion or excitement. Whereas a cooler finger suggests less circulation and more “negative” moods like stress or anxiousness.
What Colors Mean
Most traditional mood rings use 6 colors to indicate moods, aligned with 6 finger temperature ranges:
| Color | Temperature Range | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Below 82°F / 28°C | Tense, stressed |
| Blue | 82-84°F / 28-29°C | Calm, relaxed |
| Green | 84-86°F / 29-30°C | Normal, average |
| Yellow | 86-88°F / 30-31°C | Bright, positive |
| Orange | 88-90°F / 31-32°C | Romantic, passionate |
| Red | Over 90°F / 32°C | Excited, energetic |
So in theory, your mood ring turns blue when you’re calm, green when you’re normal, yellow when you’re happy, red when you’re excited, and so on.
Do They Really Work?
There are several reasons why mood rings cannot accurately detect emotions:
– **Finger temperature is not a reliable indicator of mood** – While temperature can change slightly with blood flow, many other factors also influence it, like air temperature and activity level. Mood is dependent on so many variables, inside the body and out, that skin temperature alone provides little useful correlation.
– **No two people have the same finger temperature** – There is no universal baseline or standard for what a given temperature means emotionally from person to person. For example, one person may tend to run hot, while another runs cold. The same absolute temperature could indicate different relative states for each.
– **Moods are complex** – Our emotions at any given moment are nuanced and layered, combining feelings like anger, joy, fear, calmness, and more. Mood rings rely on an oversimplified view, categorizing us into a few one-dimensional mood types. Real psychology shows mood is multidimensional.
– **They are not scientifically or medically supported** – No scientific studies have validated the concept or accuracy of mood rings. And professional medical organizations certainly do not recognize them as having any diagnostic capabilities. They were created for entertainment, not as medical devices.
– **The same color can mean different things** – While a green mood ring may indicate a “normal” state to the wearer, to an onlooker it could signal anything from jealousy to seasickness. Without knowing the baseline temperature of the wearer, colors have no objective meaning.
– **Wearers can manipulate the reading** – Ring users can intentionally warm up or cool down their fingers to game the rings into showing their desired color of the moment. The reading reflects what they want it to, not necessarily their true underlying emotions.
A Brief History of Mood Rings
The origin of mood rings dates back to the late 1960s, when Marvin Wernick invented the original mood ring while working as a jewelry designer. The rings grew popular in the 1970s and were initially known as “emotion rings” or “biofeedback rings.” Here are some key events in the history of mood rings:
– **1975** – Joshua Reynolds coins the name “mood ring” and creates one of the first commercial models sold in retail stores. The rings sell briskly as a novelty item.
– **Late 1970s** – Popular enthusiasm for mood rings peaks and then declines as their inaccuracies and limitations become more widely known.
– **1980s** – Mood ring popularity fades in the U.S. but continues in some overseas markets like Asia and Europe.
– **1990s** – Limited revival of interest in mood rings, now seen as a retro 1970s fad. New designs are marketed.
– **2000s** – Mood rings remain a novelty item, now sold alongside more advanced wearable tech measuring body signals like heart rate.
– **Today** – While no longer as popular as their peak in the 70s, mood rings can still be purchased from specialty retailers and vintage shops. Their legend lives on even if belief in their mood-reading claims has dimmed.
Conclusion
In summary, despite their commercial success as a fad in the 1970s, mood rings do not accurately read emotions or moods as claimed. The premise that finger temperature alone correlates strongly with feelings and states of mind has been scientifically debunked. Moods are far more complex than these rings can measure. Today, mood rings remain as a vintage novelty item and retro throwback, but their original reputation as a reliable barometer of moods has been proven false. For those who still enjoy them for sentimental reasons, mood rings can provide entertainment, but they should not be seriously relied upon for insight into emotions.