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New Study Reveals the True Impact of Color

The Truth of Color

Finally, we have proof. According to a new study published Thursday in Science magazine, the colors around you do have some effect on your brain. Researchers at the University of British Columbia tested 600 people's cognitive performance while they saw red, blue, and neutral-colored computer screens.

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Their findings: red improves accuracy, while blue sparks creativity. What's more, the intensity of the color may matter, too.

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Of course, this wasn't the first time that academics have attempted to pinpoint how color affects people. A few years ago, researchers found that athletes who wore red in a selection of sports at the 2004 Olympics won 60 percent of the time.

Murad Sezer, AP

Last year, scientists learned that men prefer looking at pictures of women in red shirts or on red backgrounds.

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But this study is giving blue its due -- for "a brainstorming session for a new product or coming up with a new solution to fight child obesity or teenage smoking, then you should get people into a blue room," study author Juliet Zhu told the New York Times.

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In the University of British Columbia study, people looking at the color red outperformed others in tasks requiring attention to detail, like checking spelling.

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People who saw blue found it easier to use shapes to create toys, for example.

Bottom line: home office -- red, playroom -- blue.

jupiterimages

Finally, we have proof. According to a new study published Thursday in Science magazine, the colors around you do have some effect on your brain. Researchers at the University of British Columbia tested 600 people's cognitive performance while they saw red, blue, and neutral-colored computer screens. Their findings: red improves accuracy, while blue sparks creativity. What's more, the intensity of the color may matter, too.

Of course, this wasn't the first time that academics have attempted to pinpoint how color affects people. A few years ago, researchers found that athletes who wore red in a selection of sports at the 2004 Olympics won 60 percent of the time. Last year, scientists learned that men prefer looking at pictures of women in red shirts or on red backgrounds. But this study is giving blue its due -- for "a brainstorming session for a new product or coming up with a new solution to fight child obesity or teenage smoking, then you should get people into a blue room," study author Juliet Zhu told the New York Times.

In the University of British Columbia study, people looking at the color red outperformed others in tasks requiring attention to detail, like checking spelling. People who saw blue found it easier to use shapes to create toys, for example.

Bottom line: home office -- red, playroom -- blue.

READ MORE: Check out our tips on Decorating with Color

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13 comments

MS DRAGON X 07:31:16 PM Feb 10 2009

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When aill shades of Gray, Mauve or Tea Rose plus Slate bleeeue come back. They are the most peaceful and relaxing colors I have experienced.

Abenzrite 07:27:08 PM Feb 10 2009

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Science is Color Blind

gbelter777 05:24:42 PM Feb 10 2009

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You know pink is the color for me,,,,,makes me feel really senssual if ya know what I mean.greg belter

Godzgirl301 05:02:54 PM Feb 10 2009

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Kakohl123 - it's too bad they didn't include yellow and green. Here's the info I have on some colors from a class I took once: -green literally improves your health. People that are in a green room will feel happier and healthier. -red makes you more hungry, blue does not. Think about it - have you ever seen a normally red-checkered table cloth/picnic blanket that is blue??that's all i remember...but i do know that yellow can keep you awake from personal experience...i slept over at my friend's house once and her room was a bright, pretty yellow at the time. I could not fall asleep! It was so bright and cheery that I had trouble falling asleep:)hope that helps! :)

FannyMic 04:54:57 PM Feb 10 2009

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OH WAYNEFTIGGES..........JUST LAY DOWN, GET SOME OXYGEN AND DREAM ON. YOUR 'REMARK' MADE ME TOTALLY LAUGH OUT LOUD, YOU'RE FUNNY.

SwtHoniGram46 04:14:47 PM Feb 10 2009

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my living rom,bathroom and bedroom are all shades of purple.and my family rooom is black cherry.it looks like the inside of a cherry.my kitchen is yellow(a color which i never liked) but there is a 16 inch border with baskets of blue and purple irises.when people come into my home,they are surprised that it looks so inviting and homey.they leave thinking purple can be for something other than Easter!!1

Kakohl123 03:23:59 PM Feb 10 2009

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Okay. So what about other colors like yellow and green? Don't they matter?

Wayneftigges 03:17:20 PM Feb 10 2009

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I like snatch

Edrisg 03:17:00 PM Feb 10 2009

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I love the color aqua or bluish green like the water in the Carribean Islands. It energizes me and makes me feel good all over and creative. I tire of most other colors, especially neutrals, quickly and feel blah around them if exposed to them for long periods of time.