Which Colors Boost Memory? According to a study at the University of British Columbia, certain colors can help with concentration and attention span, facilitating memory retention and learning. The study concluded that red and blue colors are the best for enhancing cognitive skills and improving brain function.
Stimuli with white foreground on red background can have a higher level of contrast compared to the other colour combination. Similarly, the use of a white colour background with black colour foreground has a better contrast level for memory retention for both short-term and long-term (32).
RED helps learners remember facts and figures.
The effects of color on memory
Some research has found that color can impact memory in a truly interesting way. For example, studies have shown that when people were are asked to recall text or color, they were much more apt to remember a color they were shown over a word or sentence.
Memory for the color of an object was higher for red-colored objects compared to blue and green-colored objects, whereas no significant difference in color memory between red and yellow-colored objects was observed.
Blue is best used for learning situations which are challenging. Blue paper, blue ink, or blue highlighting can be used to help improve reading comprehension too. Blue in general it seems is a relaxing and calming color, but lighter shades will seem more 'friendly' while darker ones seem a little more somber.
Writing notes in blue ink won't have a huge impact on your retention; however, blue notes will still be memorable because blue is known to be a trustworthy color that resonates within people.
Adding purple foods to your diet enhances brain function. Studies have shown that eating a cup of blueberries daily can improve the way your brain cells communicate with each other. The result is a better memory!
Orange. Orange lifts the mood, acting as a welcoming color for learners that helps improve neural function. Some theorists have argued that an environment rich in orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, stimulating mental activity.
Blue is a soothing color, helping calm the mind and aid concentration. It's no wonder then that blue is a popular color to use in office spaces. It enhances wakefulness and supports clear communication.
Hope: Green is the anticipation of things to come. This color relates to stability and endurance, giving us persistence and the strength to cope with adversity. Nature: Green promotes a love of nature, since most plants are green.
Red is the most powerful color amongst all. It has a tendency to stimulate mind and attract attention.
Green – Quiet and restful, green is a soothing color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace.
Red Color Psychology
In color psychology, red is the most intense color. And thus, can provoke the strongest emotions. Red can also trigger danger so you want to use the color sparingly.
Proven ways to protect memory include following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. Living a mentally active life is important, too. Just as muscles grow stronger with use, mental exercise helps keep mental skills and memory in tone.
Recent psychological studies suggest that reading and writing text in color increases the likelihood that you will remember the information. For example, one experiment found that a group of students had greater recall with blue text than with black by 27%.
Do certain colors improve memory? In one study, students in British Columbia scored higher on memory tasks when completing them on a red background.
Drumroll, please… the answer is black! Out of 1,000 people surveyed, both men and women, it was discovered that people who wear black are viewed as more intelligent. The results ran from “serious” to “playful” colors starting with black, followed by blue, white, green, purple, brown, red, yellow, orange and pink.
Green is the color of ingenuity and learning. "Geniuses pick green," said Robert DeNiro in Meet The Parents. Scientists have found that a room painted green can actually improve a child's learning speed and retention.
The colors we use to describe emotions may be more useful than you think, according to new research. The study found that people with or anxiety were more likely to associate their mood with the color gray, while preferred yellow.
Colors like red and orange increase anxiety and stress, sometimes even fear. Red and orange are associated with an emergency that can elicit images of emergency vehicles with their lights and sirens on.
Studies have shown that blue and green can create a calming atmosphere; orange and yellow can stimulate appetite; red and pink can inspire passion and energy; while purple can boost creativity and productivity.
Yellow is said to be the happiest color, promoting optimism and positive thinking.