Coloring Perception

Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name

Dr. Shauna Joye

Proposal Track

Student

Session Format

Poster

Abstract

Western society is filled with symbolisms that carry through generations. Perhaps the most commonly known symbolic cue is that involving the colors black and white - black for villains and demons and white for angels and heroes. In movies, television shows, commercials, and children’s books, the black/white connection is reinforced time and again. In “real life” as well as in research we see this tendency to describe evil and morality with the respective colors black and white (e.g., Meier, Robinson, & Clore 2004; Shermann & Clore 2009).

Previous research has found that when we view a stranger in certain clothing, we expect that person to behave in a specific way (e.g., Aiken 1963; Frank & Gilovich 1988; Vrij 1996). Further, asking people to dress a certain way (e.g., in lab coats) can influence their behavior (e.g., performing better on mental tasks; Hajo & Galinsky, 2012). Even when people are simply asked to imagine themselves in a certain way, it can influence their behavior and thoughts (Galinsky, Wang & Ku 2008).

The current research seeks to further explore the link between black and white. To date, there has been no study that directly assesses for differences in perception of a face based solely on whether the face is presented on a black or white background. Thus, in Study 1 we used a series of online surveys that presented participants with male and female faces surrounded by either white or black. Participants were asked whether they agreed or disagreed that the faces were feeling certain emotions, including angry, happy, surprised, and so forth. We hypothesized that participants would view the faces surrounded by black as more aggressive than when the faces were surrounded by white. However, the results did not indicate a pattern of perceived aggression for either white or black backgrounds. We further hypothesized that male participants would be more likely to perceive higher levels aggression in the faces than female participants regardless of the color of background presented. The results supported this hypothesis as expected. Previous research conducted by Wagner, Macdonald and Manstead (1986) further demonstrates the tendency of males to perceive aggression more often than females.

In Study 2, for which data collation will begin on October 6th, we will attempt to elicit emotions and behaviors from participants based on whether they are wearing a black or white shirt (randomly assigned). Participants will read a short narrative about a man taking out the trash and almost being hit by a car. Participants will rate the man’s mood and decide how he might react to the person driving the car. We hypothesize that participants who wear black shirts will perceive the man in a more aggressive manner (i.e., more negative mood and more aggressive behavioral response).

Keywords

Perception, Clothing, Aggression

Location

Concourse/Atrium

Presentation Year

2014

Start Date

11-15-2014 2:55 PM

End Date

11-15-2014 4:10 PM

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

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Nov 15th, 2:55 PM Nov 15th, 4:10 PM

Coloring Perception

Concourse/Atrium

Western society is filled with symbolisms that carry through generations. Perhaps the most commonly known symbolic cue is that involving the colors black and white - black for villains and demons and white for angels and heroes. In movies, television shows, commercials, and children’s books, the black/white connection is reinforced time and again. In “real life” as well as in research we see this tendency to describe evil and morality with the respective colors black and white (e.g., Meier, Robinson, & Clore 2004; Shermann & Clore 2009).

Previous research has found that when we view a stranger in certain clothing, we expect that person to behave in a specific way (e.g., Aiken 1963; Frank & Gilovich 1988; Vrij 1996). Further, asking people to dress a certain way (e.g., in lab coats) can influence their behavior (e.g., performing better on mental tasks; Hajo & Galinsky, 2012). Even when people are simply asked to imagine themselves in a certain way, it can influence their behavior and thoughts (Galinsky, Wang & Ku 2008).

The current research seeks to further explore the link between black and white. To date, there has been no study that directly assesses for differences in perception of a face based solely on whether the face is presented on a black or white background. Thus, in Study 1 we used a series of online surveys that presented participants with male and female faces surrounded by either white or black. Participants were asked whether they agreed or disagreed that the faces were feeling certain emotions, including angry, happy, surprised, and so forth. We hypothesized that participants would view the faces surrounded by black as more aggressive than when the faces were surrounded by white. However, the results did not indicate a pattern of perceived aggression for either white or black backgrounds. We further hypothesized that male participants would be more likely to perceive higher levels aggression in the faces than female participants regardless of the color of background presented. The results supported this hypothesis as expected. Previous research conducted by Wagner, Macdonald and Manstead (1986) further demonstrates the tendency of males to perceive aggression more often than females.

In Study 2, for which data collation will begin on October 6th, we will attempt to elicit emotions and behaviors from participants based on whether they are wearing a black or white shirt (randomly assigned). Participants will read a short narrative about a man taking out the trash and almost being hit by a car. Participants will rate the man’s mood and decide how he might react to the person driving the car. We hypothesize that participants who wear black shirts will perceive the man in a more aggressive manner (i.e., more negative mood and more aggressive behavioral response).