On Coast to Coast AM
29th Oct. '08 • Color Meaning, Psychology & Symbolism • Tags: color associations, red
Filed as In the media
It’s 1:30am here in Virginia but I have a good reason for still being awake. I just got off the phone with George Noory the host of Coast to Coast AM.
He had seen the news story “Study says the woman in red drives the men crazy,” and wanted to know, “Is it true?”
Since the results came as no surprise to me I confidently said “Yes!” and then shared some of the science behind the psychological effects of the color red.
Basically here’s what happens–
When we see red it sparks the pituitary gland and in turn it sends a signal to the area of the adrenal gland that releases two hormones: epinephrine and norepinephrine each of which produces a chemical change in our body.
Epinephrine
- increases the heart rate
- forces the contractions of the heart, which gets blood flowing
- increases oxygen consumption
- increases heat production throughout the body that may cause a person to perspire
Norepinephrine
- has little effect on metabolic processes or cardiac output, but does cause our blood vessels to constrict, thus increasing blood pressure
In addition from a psychological standpoint red can:
- Increases enthusiasm
- Encourages action and confidence
- Provides a sense of protection from fears and anxiety
Is it any wonder red is associated with love, sensuality, and romance?
What fun to talk to George live on-air. If you’d like to hear the re-broadcast of last nights show or learn more about Coast to Coast AM visit their website…
October 29th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
mmm red I used to have a red convertible in college-not sure I would choose red today.
Nice article Kate!
October 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Thank Myrna. I bet you drove the guys crazy in that red convertible.
Glad to have you drop by. ~Kate
October 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hi Kate, i heard you on George Noory’s show. Very interesting. I wondering . What color would attract women to men ? Is that also “red” ?
October 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Glad you caught my comments on Coast to Coast AM and thanks for stopping by. You pose an interesting question Bobo.
Since the color red has the same physical effects on both men and women it would seem that it would attract women in the same way it does men but I don’t have a similar study to back up that conclusion.
In the study that we talked about it does make reference to the fact that for males some of this could be biological and a deeply rooted signal to reproduce. This could mean that the effect of red has more impact on men but again no study to back that up and besides it seems a bit clinical and not nearly as much fun as the idea that something more mysterious and magical sparks our passion.
This study did find that when the researchers then had a group of young women rate whether the pictured woman was pretty. Red had no impact on whether women rated other women as pretty.
It seems to me the best option to attract women is to wear something that you know you look great in and when you wear it you feel fantastic. Most women I know like men that feel good about themselves and are confident without being cocky.
As for color– red can work but so can any color that brings out your eyes or makes your complexion look glowing rather than washed out. ~Kate