Psychotherapeutic Implications of Applied Color Theory.

摘要

Although existing research from various disciplines emphasizes the importance of color and its affective properties, the field of psychology has yet to apply this knowledge to the therapy setting. A review of the literature provided a framework on which to develop a quantitative analysis of how participants are influenced by color in their preferences for therapists and therapy rooms. A total of 106 participants were obtained from a convenience sample of students enrolled in The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Information on various demographic categories was collected to determine relationships to color preferences. Subjects ranked nine images of the same therapist with the shirt color altered in each picture. The same procedure was repeated for a therapy room, with each picture having a different wall color. Subjects also identified their favorite color, least favorite color, and color most representing their current mood. The findings indicate that the overall sample had clear preferences for certain colors. For both shirt and wall colors, five distinct groupings were created according to similar levels of preference. Color preferences for the therapist's shirt appeared to generally be based on how pleasurable the color was. From most to least preferred, shirt colors were as follows: blue (rank 1); white and green (rank 2); gray, red, and yellow (rank 3); orange and black (rank 4); and brown (rank 5). The pattern for preferences of wall colors was less distinct. Overall, the most preferred colors tended to be neutral with minimal affective properties. The preferences for wall colors were: blue (rank 1); beige and gray (rank 2); Baker-Miller Pink and white (rank 3); green and dark blue (rank 4); and red and yellow (rank 5). The findings indicate color plays an important role in how a client perceives the therapist and the therapy environment. Recommendations are made for future research, as well as ways in which the current research might best be utilized to increase awareness of the importance of color in therapy settings.