How Does Color Signify Happiness?

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We are visual creatures. Colors are a ubiquitous part of our lives and every visual stimulus contains color information. Our moods, thoughts, and behaviors are subliminally influenced by what we see and the array of colors that make up what surround us. We are able to detect 16.7 million different colors (Barker, E., 2004). We use color to know when to stop and go, which fruits and vegetables to buy, and what clothes to wear when going to a sports game. These daily practices create preconceived associations with colors. For example, yellow is sunny and happy, blue is sad, red is angry, etc. Yet, in what context do these correlations change, and how does color affect us on a subliminal level? Does yellow signify happiness because one grew up to believe it does, or does it, in fact, make one feel happier? It is certain that color, one way or another, affects us.
Some researchers hypothesize that each color triggers certain hormones eliciting different responses. Biologically, we (with the exception of those who are colorblind) perceive color the same. However, it …show more content…

One is the learned association between colors and particular meaning. The other is an evolutionarily ingrained response to particular colors in certain situations. Research indicates that animals use color as an indicator for certain situations (Elliot, 2007). Thus, if humans respond in a similar fashion, then it would be assumed that the color associations that persist are due to biological tendencies. Furthermore, I predict that colors have different associations with thoughts and behaviors when in different contexts. Many times in movies, villains are dressed in green. In a grocery store, however, green may signify healthiness and vegetation. Furthermore, a color has a very different implication in a situation dealing with emotions than in a situation concerning daily

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