How Colors Affect Us - Research Paper Example

How Colors Affect Us Introduction and Thesis Statement Despite the fact that countless number of colors surrounds us, we seem to have less knowledge about its influences. Colors have the abilities to affect human beings in many ways such as individual’s life, psychological state, and health. People have always been looking for better ways of making their garments appear attractive since they started wearing clothes. Greek philosophers Aristotle and Democritus with other roman writer Vitruvius and Pliny recorded processes and recipes that were used in ancient time to make fabric dye (Bender, 2011). Most of the colors and dyes used were derived from animals and plants. Purple and blue colors were called the Vat dyes. To make a blue dye, indigo and woad herbs was used. The herbs were immersed in urine for a longer time to turn them into a water soluble salt. The concoction was then left to dry and ended up creating the blue colour. The formation of the purple colour was tiresome and labor intensive. The colour was developed from the mucus glands of a mollusk, specifically the murex. Female scale insect species was used in Egypt to produce red dyes while yellow colour was prepared by a concoction of weld, stems, seeds and leaves of safflower and the dyer’s rocket. It is true that the development of colors have come of ages. More and more sophisticated ways of creating colors have been developed. People have come to appreciate the importance of colors in the world. Effects of color in our lives People make so many color choices in day to day life. The parents tend to color the gender of their children from the young age. Some colors are believed to be feminine while others signify masculinity. Colors affect the lifestyles of the people. Black colour makes people appear thin, and therefore has become popular in the fashion industry. Pink colour is considered the colour of romance. It has also been associated with causing muscle strength loss and lowering the heart beat. Some prisons are painted pink in colour to help reduce the muscle strength of the prisoners. Behavior of people is sometimes influenced by the colour of the environment. Black colour is considered a colour of submission. Black colour is considered timeless and stylish. It is the colour of submission. Priests are known to put on black as a way of submission to God. Fashion experts belief women put on black to signify submission to men (Gunnerson, 2009). Sometimes the black colour can be overpowering and making the wearer look evil and aloof. The light nature of the white color makes it popular in fashion and decoration. Its neutral nature makes it go with everything. It is more difficult to keep it clean because it easily shows dirt. Medical practitioners put on white because it signifies sterility. The extreme nature of the red color makes it unhelpful in confrontations and negotiations. Thieves prefer red cars. It is used as an accent in decorations. Red colour attracts attention. Blue colour is usually applied in bedrooms due to its calming effect. Blue colour is believed to symbolize loyalty. People are said to more active in blue room. Weightlifters in blue gyms are known to carry heavy lifts. If overused, yellow color is considered overpowering. It is difficult for the eye to take in the yellow colour. It is utilized for legal pads since it is enhance concentration. The color is known to increase metabolism. Purple color is considered romantic and feminine. It is applied in the fashion industry. Blue is considered one of the men’s favorite colors. It is believed to improve vision and the easiest colour in the eye. It is refreshing and calming. Greens rooms make people relaxed. Women in the middle ages put on green to signify fertility. Dark green color is conservative, masculine and implies wealth. Associated meaning of color The meaning of colour changes from one culture to the other. Western societies have registered changes in meaning of colors for many years. Researchers in the United States of America have found out that black colour shows authority and colour. The white colour on the other hand signifies purity and innocence. Brides put on white. The colour is considered a summer colour in the United States due to its ability to reflect light .Red colour stimulates a faster breathing and heartbeat. It is emotionally intense. It is considered the colour of love. Pink is considered the most romantic colour. It is believed to make people lose energy and it is more tranquilizing. Blue is considered the colour of the oceans and sky (Johnson, 2007). It is a popular colour. Just like red, blue color opposite reaction. Calming chemicals are usually produced by the body in presence of tranquil blue colour. Yellow colour is associated with attention. It causes loss of tempers though it is considered an optimistic colour. Babies are believed to cry more in yellow rooms. Purple color connotes luxury, royalty, sophistication and wealth. It may appear artificial because of its rare nature. Green is the popular colour used in decoration. Brown colour shows abundance in nature and is considered the colour of earth. Genuineness is implied by light brown. It is associated with wistfulness and sadness. The United States flag is made up of many colors. The white color in the flag symbolizes innocent and purity. The red color represents hardiness and valor. The flag’s blue color symbolizes perseverance, vigilance and justice. The sun’s rays are represented by the stripes with the stars signifying good things that the people are struggling for. Psychological effects of color therapy Colors affect the way we perceive things. Colors such as brown and neutral tans that are won by police officers usually signify protection. Good health improves our mood. Healthy people are happy people. Color is believed to promote health. Research has shown that our bodies are affected by colors. Colors affect blood pressure, brain waves and circulation. Colors affect both the psychological and physical effects (Bender, 2011). It directly associated with the endocrine system and the result can lead to improved health. Ultraviolet light is used by miners in Russia to prevent development of lung diseases. Blue is believed to change the mood of a person and cause calming effects. Some of the bridges are painted blue in England to prevent suicidal attempt. Colors affect appetite and mood of the person. Restraints apply red and yellow color to improve the person mood and appetite. A study conducted on 666 students by Canadian researchers revealed that, blue colors are not always the best as people think. The seventeen to thirty nine year old individuals completed a detail oriented tasks on computer screens with either red, white or blue backgrounds. The participants scored well on the assignment that based on memory tasks and proof reading. Blue color was considered effective in calming people especially in a hall. The study revealed that some colors tend to interfere with human behavior; red color makes men more amorous especially toward women. Red color was associated with people being, angry, strong, aggressive, frustrated, lustful and courageous. Some studies have revealed that red color is associated with enthusiasm, power, excitement and success especially when sports are concerned (Johnson, 2007). Red color is also believed to cause avoidance. The blue colour is believed to have inhibiting effects on solutions of the people. Red colour is also associated with enhancing people’s performance. Colour improves the behavior of the people. A study conducted in Canada showed that the behavior of the students improved in class due to changes in colour. The change of the classroom colour from orange to light then dark blue made the students to concentrate more. The students were stimulated by the dark colour and calmed by the cooler ones. Other colors such as red are known to attract people’s attention. Effects of colors regarding our health Color therapy is also called chromotherapy. The procedure is facilitated by alternative health procedures in the healing rooms. The procedure is considered vibration modalities of health. Vibrational medicine entails use of some energy known as chi that is found within organisms such as germstones, crystals plant and sunlight. Color is considered part of visible light. The various colors are believed to possess a form of visible light. a therapist with knowledge on colour therapy applies color and light in the form of visualization, tools or verbal suggestion for energy balance. Energy is balanced in the body area which lack vibrance. The vibrance can either be mental, spiritual, physical and emotional. Tools that are used for such procedures include colored eye lenses, colored fabrics, lasers, crystal wands candles and germstones. All the seven colors of the rainbow are applied in the color therapy. Putting on color therapy glasses is an efficient way of applying color therapy. The colour entering the eye. It is undisbutable that we are affected by light in day to day life. Convectional medicine uses color or light to treat some condition. Phototherapy can be used in healing of the skin. Illness in the bodies is usually associated with some organs not vibrating at a certain frequency. Color therapy works bases on a fact that specific color frequency matches the frequencies produced by the other various body organs. When the frequency of such organs is restored their function ends up improving and the body functions well. Color therapy glasses are worn for ten to thirty minutes each. Putting on Magenta colored glasses help block green light and enhances better sleep. (Color Therapy Healing) Conclusion Understanding the psychology of colour is vital in day to day life. Colors are essential in a number of ways. Colour improves health, influences the moods of the people and also affects our perception. The presence of the blue color in the bedroom is believed to bring calmness. Color knowledge can be applied by the fashion industries and decorators with an intention of producing products that will attract many people. The application of color in restaurant is also essential in boosting the appetite of the people. Color application in hospitals and treatment of illness is important in promotion of a healthy being. References Bender, R. (2011, January 1). How Color Affects Our Mood. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/27/how-color-affects-our-moo_n_1114790.html Johnson, D. (2007). Color Psychology Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html Wolfson, E. (2014, January 29). How Color Shapes Our Lives. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/how-color-shapes-our- lives/283376/ Color Therapy Healing. (n.d). Color History Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html Gunnerson, T. (2009, February 5). Color Can Affect How People Think and Act. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/02/05/color-can-affect-how-people-think-and-act Somers, D. (2008, Jan 4). 4 Fascinating Ways Color Can Affect Your Mood and Health. Retrieved from http://www.empowher.com/community/share/4-fascinating-ways-color-can-affect-your-mood-and-health Read More