Mini Research Project
You will be writing a mini-research project on "Colors" by Adam Alter as your final writing assignment for this piece. Think about any further questions that may have been raised for you through this piece or the connections or assumptions made by the author. Once you have come up with 1-2 questions, using valid, credible resources, look for answers to those questions. Write up what you find in 2 paragraphs minimum. Don’t forget to write where you got your information!
Adam Alter's book "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces That Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave" delves into the fascinating world of colors, and specifically the effect the color pink has on mood and behavior. One of the questions raised by this piece of writing is whether there could be other colors that hold similar power over our emotions or behaviors? Additionally, the author discusses the use of pink in controlling aggression and possibly facilitating focus, but are there any potential negative effects of using pink in such a way?
To answer the first question, it is worthwhile to explore a study conducted by Andrew J. Elliot and Markus A. Maier titled "Color and Psychological Functioning: A Review of Theoretical and Empirical Work." The researchers found that various colors can influence mood, emotions, and behavior by activating different cognitive processes. For example, they discovered that red is associated with excitement, passion, and aggression, while blue is believed to have a calming and soothing effect, promoting relaxation and focus (Elliot and Maier, 2014). It is important to note, however, that cultural factors can also contribute to associations made between colors and psychological functioning, so the effect of colors may be less universal than previously assumed.
Regarding the potential negative effects of using the color pink, a study conducted by Nicolas Guéguen examines the relationship between color and performance in the context of an educational environment. In this study, high school students completed a test under two different light conditions: one with pink light and one with white light. The researcher found that although students exposed to pink light exhibited lower levels of anxiety, their test performance was significantly worse than their counterparts exposed to white light (Guéguen, 2000). This suggests that while pink's calming effect may seem advantageous, it may not always bring about the desired cognitive or behavioral responses.
Resources:
1. Elliot, A. J., & Maier, M. A. (2014). Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 368.
2. Guéguen, N. (2000). The effects of color on performance in a school environment. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(5), 1100-1110.