Color psychology is the study of how popular colors impact human behavior. Different colors have distinct meanings, connotations, and psychological effects that vary across different cultures. Along with cultural differences, personal preferences can impact color psychology.

Color psychology involves the use of color theory—the practical application of mixing and matching various hues—to explore concepts like color perception and the effect of color combinations.

Color affects your mood through different associations. The human brain associates warm colors—such as red, orange, and yellow—with a range of feelings, including passion, comfort, anger, and power.

Cool colors—such as blue, green, and purple—have the opposite effect, creating a calming atmosphere that counteracts feelings of anxiety. While cool tones can calm and soothe an uneasy disposition, they can also trigger feelings of sadness and indifference.

The psychological effects of color play a significant role in shaping preferences and color choices. Marketers, interior designers, and artists use color associations to create a distinct mood. Consider the following examples of how varying color palettes evoke different meanings and emotions:

1. Blue: Different tints of blue evoke a wide spectrum of emotions, from serene to distant. For example, dark shades of blue can make viewers feel lonely and detached. Light shades of blue have a calming effect and also signal dependability. Health care offices often paint their walls light blue to soothe anxious patients. From a marketing standpoint, businesses use light shades of blue in website designs, logos, and infographics to establish a brand personality that exudes dependability and trust.

2. Green: The color green has associations with the natural world, generating tranquil and rejuvenating moods. Since shades of green reflect a variety of earthy tones, surrounding yourself with green accents can create a calming and uplifting atmosphere. In some literary contexts, however, green symbolizes feelings of jealousy and disgust.

3. Purple: From a historical perspective, the color purple has associations with royalty, authority, and wealth. People also connect creativity, imagination, and inspiration to purple color schemes. Pastel shades of purple, such as lavender, can be calming colors.

4. Red: The primary color red evokes some of the most intense moods and emotions. With connections to love, passion, anger, and danger, red has a powerful impact on the human body. It generates a stimulating effect, increasing a person’s heart rate and energy levels. In color therapy, red helps patients release negative emotions and lingering anger.

5. Yellow: As a light and bright shade, yellow is an energizing color that provokes feelings of happiness and optimism. The intensity and brightness of yellow catch the eye, producing both positive and negative effects. While its radiance makes the color yellow cheery, too much yellow (especially shades with a deep saturation) can cause eyestrain and feelings of frustration.

Red is one of the most influential colors when it comes to an individual’s mood. The color red has associations with strong emotions, such as love and anger, and can have a significant effect on a person’s disposition. Emergency and warning signs use the color red to generate alertness in times of crisis.

Blue is also a powerful color because the human eye easily recognizes this shade on the color wheel. Because the color blue does not occur naturally in many types of food, its appearance can help curb an individual’s appetite.