After returning from my second canning weekend yesterday, I got to thinking about the money my group made and specifically, the dollar amount per canner.  When giving this some thought on my long car ride back to State, I realized that the canners who made more money throughout the weekend were the kids dressed in the colorful tutus, silly colored capes, or bright bandanas and leis.  Is it a coincidence that the boy wearing brighter colors in a greater abundance than everyone else had the highest canning total? This got me thinking, how much of an influence does color truly have on the human brain?

Many fast food restaurants often use the colors red, orange, and yellow in their logos because these colors are found to increase appetite.  Some of the biggest food chains such as McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and KFC are perfect examples of these color schemes.  In fact, these danger colors go further than just the yellow golden arches.  A study conducted by researcher James Clear proves even further that certain colors can effect eating habits.  Participants of the study were split into two groups.  One group was given white plates and the second group was given red plates.  The groups were then able to select pasta with a white sauce on it or pasta with red, marinara sauce on it.  After letting the two groups eat as much as they preferred, the study found that the group with red plates who chose pasta with the red sauce ate up to 30% more than the group with white plates and white sauce on their pasta.

There could potentially be false positive results in this study because it was unclear how large and randomized the study was.  However, the study is still a useful one because each individual was allowed to eat as much as they wanted without any restrictions or influence besides the colors of the plates or pasta sauce.

On an even more serious note, research was done on the suicide rates off of a bridge depending on what color the bridge was painted.  The University of British Columbia conducted a study looking specifically at color effects on the brain and took notice of the Blackfriars Bridge.  The bridge was originally built out of solid black iron.  Later, the bridge was painted over with a green color and the suicide rate declined by 30%.  Green is often connected to symbolizing rebirth or new beginnings.  So, while the decrease in suicide could be attributed to third variables such as the people’s careers advancements, family happiness, or personal success; 30% is a large enough amount taken from a completely randomized group of people.  This is pretty good evidence that the new bridge color did play a significant role in lowering the suicide rate.

While green was a helpful color in the bridge study, not all colors are so positive.  According to NBC News, cars painted red get more tickets than any other color car.  Red often is related to fury, anger, or extremity which may be tied to police officers subconsciously having their eye out for red car drivers.  However, with this example, it is important to remember confounding variables could play a factor.  While it is possible drivers are only being pulled out an extra amount because their car is red, it is also possible people with the tendency to drive faster and be more daring like to purchase red cars. Specifically, the confounding variable would be that fast drivers have a tendency to buy red cars.

After looking carefully at these different examples, there is not 100% proof that colors alone effect a humans mind with no influence from outside factors; however, there is definitely good studies and examples to show colors can play a significant role.  So, whether it be canning weekend apparel or a plate color at dinner time, remember that color does have an effect and to choose wisely.

Work Cited:

http://humannhealth.com/effect-of-different-colors-on-human-mind-and-body/243/

http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours

http://jamesclear.com/feeling-fat