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)
Recommended Citation
Blazer, Amber, "Coloring Perception" (2014). Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (2014-2015). 130.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gurc/2014/2014/130
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).