An ecological valence theory of human color preference
University of California, Berkeley
Abstract
Color preference is an important aspect of visual experience, but little is known about why people in general like some colors more than others. Previous research suggested explanations based on biological adaptations [Hurlbert AC, Ling YL (2007) Curr Biol 17:623-625] and color-emotions [Ou L-C, Luo MR, Woodcock A, Wright A (2004) Color Res Appl 29:381-389]. In this article we articulate an ecological valence theory in which color preferences arise from people's average affective responses to color-associated objects. An empirical test provides strong support for this theory: People like colors strongly associated with objects they like (e.g., blues with clear skies and clean water) and dislike colors strongly…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 21.67
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 22
Authors
2Topics & keywords
- Valence (chemistry)
- Psychology
- Blues
- Wright
- Color vision
- Ecology
- Popularity
- Social psychology