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Show Page The Dixie Sun 2 February High Blood Pressure? Try Blue. Color Psychology By BRANDY FOX THE DIXIE SUN Are you seeking to impress an amour this Valentine's Day? Are you searching for better grades? Are you interested in putting your "best foot forward?" Or are you just looking to relax? Knowing a little something about color psychology can be a tool in helping these things come true. Glen Blakley, professor of art at Dixie College, explained that "Color has all kinds of psychological effects on us." The color red has an emotional effect on people at this time of year, said Blakley. "Red symbolizes passion, love, heat, the sun, and anger. Our language is splattered, like blood, with red." "Yellow and red sell more things in the grocery store. The eye only rests on products for a and companies use yellow and red to stop the eye," said Blakley. Red is said to increase milla-secon- d, "Red symbolizes passion, love, heat, the sun, and anger. Our language is splattered, like blood, with red." the appetite, and muscle responses, making a person feel hungrier, more intense, or more agitated, said Blakley. "It's a psychological ploy in selling food," said Blakley. "Restaurants use red because people tend to eat more, want more, buy more, and leave quickly. Time passes slower under red, so people feel like they've been there for a long time." One study seems to prove this. In "For Your Health Sake," by the American Medical Association (Tuly. 1972.) Two groups of salesmen were asked to attend three hour, fifteen minute sales conferences. All were stripped of their timekeeping devices. One group was placed in a red room, and the other in a blue room. The two groups were asked to estimate the time spent in the sales conference. The red group estimated, on average, a five hour sitting. The blue group estimated on average, two and a half hours, a number significantly less than the actual time. So how does one impress another this Valentine's Day? Find the colors that look best on you, said Blakley. "If you look absolutely smashing in red, (the color of passion) then go for it." "I recommend the col- - "I recommend the colors that you can afford; what you look good in. That's what you should wear, even if you get it from the D.I." 11, 1997 101 studying, ed Blakley suggested that a "sunlit-yelloroom is the best to study in." "Red is a good color for w immediate motivation," said Blakley. "It might not hurt to have a red notebook or paper sitting next to your test as you work. But it's not the best color to study under." To relax, Blakley suggests staring at a piece of blue paper for a few moments. "This will automatically lower your blood pressure," said Blakley. ors that you can afford; what you look good in. That's what you should wear, even if you get it from the D.I." The pursuit of better grades is a student pastime that may be affected by color psychology. While no amount of any color can replace good. "Color is the most elusive of experiences. Everybody sees differently, everybody has a different interpretation," said Blakley. So if you are looking to score a Valentine's sweetheart, or are just looking for a way to unwind, color psychology can help you out. |