Color More Than Just Aesthetics?

Red for Romance

The author of this response was given the task of reviewing a journal article. The article chosen for this summary asserts that red is a color that spurs feelings of romance and attraction in men. The hypothesis of the article, as authored and offered by Andrew Elliot and Daniela Nuestra, will be described as well as the variables, sample and methods used. There will also be a summary of the results or findings of the research in question. Lastly, there will be an opinion about the work offered by the author of this report and summary as to the validity and applicability of this research. While color is often looked at through simple and basic prisms, colors absolutely mean much more than some give credit for when used and displayed in certain ways (Elliot & Niesta, 2008).

Analysis

As noted in the introduction, red is a color that is theorized to spur romantic and attraction-related feelings in men as it pertains to a person they desire. This would obviously pertain to men looking at women in most, but not all, cases. Indeed, red would seem to be linked to feelings of attraction relating to women and research prior to the study being reviewed here seemed to at least suggest, if not confirm, this to be the case. The primary variable in the experiments that Elliot and Niesta engaged in was the color present in certain photos. However, the comparison went far beyond comparing red to, let us say, black and white. Indeed, they did a series of experiments. In the first, they compared the reactions to a photo with red in it to one without and asked the participant to label who they found more attractive. In the second experiment look at whether red was specific in swaying the "rating" given for attractiveness. In experiments 3, 4 and 5, there were comparisons between red and other color combinations including chromatic and achromatic pictures. In other words, discernible colors other than red were used in some alternative photos but others were completely black, white and gray in nature (Elliot & Niesta, 2008).

There were 27 men in the first experiment and there were not able to figure out what precisely was being measured. Thus, the Hawthorne effect was ostensibly kept in check, at least to an extent. For the second group, there were 63 people with an almost 50/50 split between men and women. The third experiment was men only and was comprised of thirty-seven subjects. The fourth experiment went from gray (experiment 3's color other than red) to green and there were 31 males in the group. The fifth experiment was similar to the fourth except the chromatic selection aside from green was changed to blue. Who was selected for what experiment was completely randomized (Elliot & Niesta, 2008).

As far as results go, red was clearly linkable to perceived attractiveness. The figures offered for the third experiment show this across the board. Indeed, the perceived attractiveness, sexual desire and desired sexual behavior were all high for the color red than for gray. The numbers were not all that far apart but there was definitely a statistical difference as there was a difference of at least half a point (out of 6 or 7) on all three and that difference was more than one as it related to sexual desire. Much the same thing was revealed when comparing red and green, as there was a noticeable gap on all three of the aforementioned measures used for red vs. gray. In fact, the margins between red and green were actually much high, ranging from 1 to 2.5 units out of on scales of six to eight. The trend held up when looking at blue, as red won on all five measures looked at. Those measures were perceived attractiveness, whether they would ask that person out on a date, sexual desire, how much they would spend on a date and desired sexual behavior. As noted before, the purpose of the experiment was withheld and there was no known correct guessing as to precisely was being measured or looked for, so the results are certainly fairly reliable based on that particular data point. They were shown pictures and were asked for their reactions while also concealing what was being measured. The mixing of the colors is probably what cinched that. Had they only used red and gray or red and some other color, there is a much higher likelihood that the purpose of the study would have been figured out (Elliot & Niesta, 2008).

The results of the study may be a surprise or shock to some. However, it is not a surprise to the author of this report. Indeed, women commonly use red as a color of their attire or their makeup (if not both) to make themselves more attractive. They do this because that is the intent and they know it works. However, the author of this report would take that idea a step further and wholeheartedly agree that color is not just about aesthetics. Indeed, there is a reason why people wear all or mostly black to a funeral. There is also a reason that someone wearing a pop of color (including red) might be viewed with disdain or as being rude. One could look at wedding dresses and say the same thing. There has been a shift in recent years with wedding dresses in that not all women choose to wear solid white. Indeed, off-white colors such as cream, ivory and so forth are common and several other mild colors such as light green or blue are not unheard of. However, two colors that are rarely seen (and for a reason) are black and red. Even if a bride loves one or both of those colors, they dare not wear them on their wedding dress as they would either worry about the signals it sends, the bad luck it may place on the union or a combination of the two (Elliot & Niesta, 2008).