Loading...
Fertile green: Green facilitates creative performance
Lichtenfeld, Stephanie Elliot, Andrew J. Maier, Markus A. Pekrun, Reinhard
Lichtenfeld, Stephanie
Elliot, Andrew J.
Maier, Markus A.
Pekrun, Reinhard
Abstract
The present research sought to extend the nascent literature on color and psychological functioning by examining whether perception of the color green facilitates creativity. In four experiments, we demonstrated that a brief glimpse of green prior to a creativity task enhances creative performance. This green effect was observed using both achromatic (white, gray) and chromatic (red, blue) contrast colors that were carefully matched on nonhue properties, and using both picture-based and word-based assessments of creativity. Participants were not aware of the purpose of the experiment, and null effects were obtained on participants’ self-reported mood and positive activation. These findings indicate that green has implications beyond aesthetics and suggest the need for sustained empirical work on the functional meaning of green.
Keywords
green, creativity, performance, color, hue
Date
2012
Type
Journal article
Journal
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Book
Volume
38
Issue
6
Page Range
784-797
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled