1. Colour Psychology By Nicola Flaherty

2. Colour psychology is the profound impact that different colours have on individual beings mentally, physically and emotionally. It greatly influences the choices we make in day-to-day life

3. RED Love, lust, hatred Stimulates hunger Is the most emotionally intense colour There-fore has the most psychological and physical impact on us

4. How does it affect us? Positive affects- Increased strength Excitement Increased pulse and heart rate Negative affects- Increased blood pressure Increased respiratory rate Increased pulse

5. ORANGE Bold, Active, Autumn Associated with warmth Associated with Summer and Autumn months and Halloween festival Associated with fruits and acidity

6. How does it affect us? Negative affects- None Positive affects- Decreased irritability Decreased hostility Increased social behaviour

7. YELLOW Happiness, Optimism, Cheer Most difficult colour for the eye to perceive Over-powering if over- used Scientists have found that people lose their tempers more often in yellow-coloured rooms

8. How does it affect us? Negative affects- Increased irritability Increased hostility. Positive affects- Enhances concentration Increased memory (eg. yellow is used for legal pads) Increased metabolic rate and increased digestion.

9. GREEN Envy, Jealousy, Wealth It is the easiest colour for the eye to perceive Is widely recognized for its calm and relaxing qualities

10. How does it affect us? Negative affects- None Positive affects- Relaxes and calms people down People waiting to appear on television wait in ‘green- rooms’ to relax Also used in patient waiting rooms in hospitals Relieves homesickness Increases vision.

11. BLUE Peace, Serenity, Loyalty Causes the body to produce calming chemicals and generates feelings of peace and tranquillity For a long time blue has also been associated with feelings of depression or sadness eg “feeling blue” This is because blue is a ‘cold’ colour eg it is mostly cold in nature- (night, water, ice) there-fore it makes people feel as though the temperature has decreased even though it hasn’t

12. How does it affect us? Negative affects- Has a cooling effect (eg studies have shown you will feel less warm in a blue room opposed to a warmer-coloured room like orange, red or yellow) Positive affects- Decreased blood pressure decreased respiratory rate increased concentration; studies have found that people are more productive in blue painted rooms

13. INDIGO Loyalty, Homosexuality, Creativity These days it is used a lot in conjunction with homosexuality In the olden days though it was seen as a very royal colour as it was the most expensive dye and only royalty could afford it.

14. How does it affect us? Negative affects- Decreased alertness Increased day- dreaming Positive affects- Decreased blood pressure Decreased appetite Quietens overactive glands Quietens internal dialogue.

15. References- Collins H. (1992 1999), Mini Dictionary in colour p.101 and 440 www.dulux.com.au/html/inspiration/colour-psychology.aspx www.fotosearch.com/photos_images/coloured-condom.html www.colour-affects.co.uk/ www.cleo.com.au www.pro.corbis.comwww.pro.corbis.com/ www.squido.com/colourexpert www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html www.bharatmatrimony.com/astrology/colour.shtml