Psychologists say that the colour red makes men feel more romantic towards women, and the males are unaware of the role the shade plays in their attraction.
The colour red makes men feel more amorous towards women, and the males are unaware of the role the shade plays in their attraction, according to two psychologists.
The study by University of Rochester psychologists published in Oct. by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology adds color-literally and figuratively-to the age-old question of what attracts men to women.Through five psychological experiments, Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology, and Daniela Niesta, post-doctoral researcher, demonstrate the affair of colour red with enduring love.
"It's only recently that psychologists and researchers in other disciplines have been looking closely and systematically at the relationship between color and behavior. Much is known about color physics and color physiology, but very little about color psychology," said Elliot.
"It's fascinating to find that something as ubiquitous as color can be having an effect on our behavior without our awareness," the expert said.
Although this aphrodisiacal effect of red may be a product of societal conditioning alone, the authors argue that men's response to red more likely stems from deeper biological roots.
Research has shown that nonhuman male primates are particularly attracted to females displaying red. Female baboons and chimpanzees, for example, redden conspicuously when nearing ovulation, sending a clear sexual signal designed to attract males.
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When using chromatic colors like green and blue, the colors were precisely equated in saturation and brightness levels, explained Niesta. "That way the test results could not be attributed to differences other than hue."
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Under all of the conditions, the women shown framed by or wearing red were rated significantly more attractive and sexually desirable by men than the exact same women shown with other colors.
Source-ANI
SPH