Color psychology is a fascinating field that examines how colors affect human behavior, mood, and emotions. Understanding the impact of different hues and colors has many practical applications in various industries including design, marketing, architecture, and more. But when did the modern study of color psychology first emerge? Let’s take a look at the history and origins of this interesting domain.
Early History of Color Psychology
The basic notion that colors could evoke certain responses is an ancient idea that dates back thousands of years. In ancient cultures like Egypt, China, and India, colors were thought to be imbued with symbolic meaning and connection to the spiritual world. Specific colors were associated with different gods and goddesses.
For example, in ancient Egypt, the color blue was thought to symbolize the heavens, divinity, and life. Green represented fertility and new life. Red signified danger, destruction, and evil. These civilizations applied these color meanings in art, rituals, customs, and more.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was one of the first to systematically study color. In his treatise On Sense and Sensible Objects, he connected colors to temperatures and emotions. He wrote that blue was linked to coolness and gloom, while yellow embodied warmth and joy. This marked an early philosophical inquiry into the psychological effects of color.
In the 9th century AD, the Islamic alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (also known as Geber) conducted experiments observing the impacts of color on emotion. He developed an early psychological chart relating color to temperament and inner states.
During the Renaissance period in Europe, visual artists grew increasingly interested in color symbolism and uses of color to create moods in artworks. Notable figures like Leonardo da Vinci studied and wrote about color psychology, recording how certain colors made people feel from cheerful to anxious.
18th & 19th Century Contributions
In the 18th century, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published his major work Theory of Colours, an extensive treatise examining the nature of colors and their interrelationships. Goethe proposed a “sensory-moral” connection between color and emotion.
Goethe’s writings went on to inspire many 19th century scientists, philosophers, and theorists to pursue research on color psychology. These included figures like Arthur Schopenhauer, who expanded on color symbolism, and Eugène Chevreul, who examined how complementary colors can intensify each other when placed alongside one another.
During the 1800s, many psychologists proposed their own theories and insights about color and emotion. Ewald Hering identified four elementary color pairs – black/white, red/green, blue/yellow, brightness/darkness – and how these oppositions elicit distinct responses. Wilhelm Wundt connected colors like yellow and red to feelings of excitement.
By the late 1800s, the first empirical experiments testing color psychology ideas also emerged. In 1878, Wilson McCoy conducted a rudimentary experiment where he painted a jail cell pink and observed how it affected prisoners’ behavior. In 1895, J.M. Baldwin studied how different colored lights could provoke different emotional reactions.
Early 20th Century Research
In the early 20th century, research on color psychology advanced considerably thanks to pioneering researchers like Heinrich Frieling and Max Lüscher.
Frieling was a German psychologist who published key papers in 1921 outlining connections between colors and specific emotions, perceptions, and preferences. He helped develop early psychological tests using colored cards.
Max Lüscher, a Swiss psychiatrist, created the Lüscher Color Test in 1947. This diagnostic tool consisted of colored cards that subjects would organize and interpret based on color preferences. Lüscher maintained that color choices provided indications of psychological and personality traits.
The Lüscher test and similar psychodiagnostic color tests grew popular and inspired more empirical work probing links between color and psychology. Researchers found some preliminary evidence that color preferences and interpretations could reveal aspects of someone’s state of mind.
Mid to Late 20th Century
Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, research on color psychology flourished and became more rigorous. Many studies emerged exploring how different colors impacted moods, feelings, and cognitive performance in systematic ways.
In 1957, Newton Howard tested how red, green, yellow, and blue environments affected anxiety, intellect, and impulsivity. He found that red increased anxiety and impulsivity compared to green and blue hues.
Harry Holtzman and C. R. Cavonius’s 1960 study had subjects perform language and math tests in red, green, yellow, and white rooms. Performance on different tests varied based on room color, indicating that color stimulated particular mental processes.
Natalia Godlewski conducted experiments in the 1960s and 70s examining the impacts of colored lights and slides on test subjects. Her work provided data on how stimuli like blue-green light could induce relaxation.
During the late 20th century, research proliferated connecting color to emotion, mood, stress levels, brain activity, alertness, and more. Scientists found that warm hues like red, orange, and yellow stimulated mental arousal, while cool blues, greens, and violets had calming effects. These and other findings laid the groundwork for modern color psychology applications.
Key Modern Researchers
Some of the most influential contemporary researchers in color psychology include:
- Angela Wright – Studies connections between color and emotion. Developed Color Affects System.
- Satoshi Kuriki – Explored links between color and emotion across cultures.
- Andrew Elliot – Examined color and psychological functioning. Linked red to danger and failure.
- Kurt Goldstein – Proposed color semantics and meaning based on neuropsychology.
- Robert Gerard – Studied impact of color on mood and psychophysiological arousal.
- Ellen Langer – Demonstrated how color influences perception, cognitions, and behaviors.
These researchers have greatly expanded our understanding of color psychology over recent decades through controlled experiments and in-depth reviews of the literature.
Key Developments in Color Psychology
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 4th century BC | Aristotle connects colors to temperature and emotions |
| 9th century AD | Jabir ibn Hayyan relates colors to temperaments |
| 1810 | Goethe publishes Theory of Colours on color and emotion |
| 1878 | Wilson McCoy conducts color experiment in jail |
| 1895 | J.M. Baldwin studies emotional impacts of colored lights |
| 1921 | Heinrich Frieling outlines connections between color and emotion |
| 1947 | Max Lüscher creates the Lüscher Color Test |
| 1957 | Newton Howard examines color and mental processes |
| 1960 | Holtzman & Cavonius study color’s effect on cognition |
| 1960s-70s | Natalia Godlewski researches color and relaxation |
| 2000s | Contemporary researchers continue advancing field |
Applications of Color Psychology
Thanks to decades of research, color psychology has many practical uses today. Some key applications include:
- Graphic design – Selecting colors to evoke desired moods, themes, and reactions.
- Interior design – Decorating spaces to stimulate effects like relaxation.
- Architecture – Using color to influence perceptions of large structures and spaces.
- Fashion – Combining colors that convey targeted styles and vibes.
- Branding – Crafting color palettes to shape brand personalities and advertising.
- Retail – Deploying color to guide consumer emotions and behavior in stores.
- Digital interfaces – Choosing interface colors to improve usability and UX.
- Visual arts – Harnessing color symbolism and effects in artistic works.
Research insights allow designers, marketers, architects, artists, and other professionals to make informed color choices tailored to goals.
Conclusion
While ancient cultures recognized color symbolism, the modern study of color psychology emerged over the last few centuries. Early philosophical inquiries evolved into empirical research by the 20th century as scientists systematically assessed colors’ impacts on emotion, mood, cognition, and behavior in humans. Contemporary researchers continue expanding our understanding of color psychology, supporting practical applications across many fields and industries. Ongoing work promises deeper insights into the influential power of color on the human mind.
