Republic of the Philippines

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Architecture and Fine Arts
PUP-NDC Compound, Anonas Street corner Pureza Street
Sta. Mesa, Manila

PSYC 1013
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

Research Study Entitled:

YELLOW
1st Semester
S.Y. 2015-2016

Submitted by:
RIGINA JEANNE C. YOUNG
Bachelor of Science in Architecture V-1
2011-01968-MN-0

The Color Yellow

The color yellow is the color of the mind and the intellect

Yellow is the brightest color of the visible spectrum, and it is the most noticeable of all
colors by the human eye. This color relates to acquired knowledge. It is the color which
resonates with the left or logic side of the brain stimulating our mental faculties and creating
mental agility and perception. Being the lightest hue of the spectrum, the color psychology of
yellow is uplifting and illuminating, offering hope, happiness, cheerfulness and fun.
In the meaning of colors, yellow inspires original thought and inquisitiveness. Yellow is
creative from a mental aspect, the color of new ideas, helping us to find new ways of doing
things. It is the practical thinker, not the dreamer.
How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun.
-Vincent Van Gogh

Effect on Mood/Emotion
One important aspect of color is how it impacts one's moods and emotions. Often, people
consciously or unconsciously react to individual colors in a certain way, or they may gravitate
towards some colors as a way of expressing emotions or influencing mood.
People often paint their kitchens and nurseries yellow. Yellow is a color that is cheerful and
can make person feel inspired. Blue is a color that creates feelings of trust, calm, and patience.

Color Psychology as Therapy

Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, practiced chromotherapy, or
the use of colors to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy or colourology
and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment.
In this treatment:
Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

Psychology of Color

Yellow

Yellow is the best color to create enthusiasm for life and

can awaken greater confidence and optimism. The color
yellow loves a challenge, particularly a mental challenge.
Within the meaning of colors, yellow is the great
communicator and loves to talk. Yellow is the color of the
networker and the journalist, all working and
communicating on a mental level. Yellow is the scientist,
constantly analyzing, looking at both sides before making
a decision; methodical and decisive. Yellow is the
entertainer, the comic, the clown.
Fig. 1 Source: http://www.empower-yourselfwith-color-psychology.com/coloryellow.htmlt

Yellow helps with decision making as it relates to clarity

of thought and ideas, although it can often be impulsive.
Yellow helps us focus, study and recall information,
useful during exam time. It can be anxiety producing as it
is fast moving and can cause us to feel agitated.
Yellow has a tendency to make you more mentally
analytical and critical - this includes being self-critical as
well as critical of others.It is non-emotional, coming from
the head rather than the heart. Yellow depends on itself,
preferring to not get emotionally involved.

Fig. 2 Source: http://www.empower-yourselfwith-color-psychology.com/coloryellow.htmlt

Yellow is related to the ego and our sense of self-worth, to how we feel about ourselves and how
we are perceived by others.
Yellow is the most highly visible of all colors which is
why it is used for pedestrian crossings. Take note of the
crossings which are marked in white - they are less easy
to see than those marked yellow, particularly on wet and
cloudy days.
If you are going through a lot of change in your life you
may find you can't tolerate the color yellow very well this will usually pass. It just means that you are having
trouble coping with all the changes at the moment and
Psychology of Color

Yellow

yellow vibrates too fast for you, making you feel stressed. Introduce green or a soft orange into
your life for a while to balance and restore your energies.

Positive
and http://www.empower-yourselfNegative Traits
Fig. 3 Source:
with-color-psychology.com/coloryellow.htmlt

Positive keywords include: Optimism, cheerfulness, enthusiasm, fun, good-humored,

confidence, originality, creativity, challenging, academic and analytical, wisdom and logic.

Negative keywords include: being critical and judgmental, being overly analytical, being
impatient and impulsive, being egotistical, pessimistic, an inferiority complex, spiteful,
cowardly, deceitful, non-emotional and lacking compassion.

Yellow Represents
Mind and intellect: From a color psychology perspective, yellow stimulates our mental
faculties; it activates the left or analytical brain.
Happiness and fun: Yellow is uplifting to the spirits; yellow helps create enthusiasm for
life and can awaken greater confidence and optimism.
Communication of New Ideas: Yellow is related to the expression and integration of new
ideas and thoughts.

Effects of Yellow:
Creative: The color of new ideas, yellow helps us find new ways of doing things.
Quick decisions: Yellow helps with clear thinking and quick decision-making but it can
also be impulsive.
Anxiety producing: Yellow is fast moving so too much time in its presence can agitate and
lead to nervousness and emotional instability.
Psychology of Color

Yellow

Critical: Yellow makes people more mentally analytical and self critical of both
themselves and others.
Non-emotional: Yellow relates to the head not the heart.

Variations of the Color Yellow

Light Clear Yellow

This color helps to clear the mind, making it open and alert.
Lemon Yellow
Lemon yellow promotes self-reliance and a need for an orderly life. This yellow
increases our sensitivity to criticism.
Citrine Yellow
Citrine is a superficial and fickle color. It encourages the serial relationship hopper, the
teaser, with unstable emotions. This yellow can be deceitful and retreats from responsibility.
Golden Yellow
This yellow is the color of the loner with an intense curiosity and interest in investigating
the finer details of its interests. Golden yellow is sensitive to criticism.
Cream
Cream, tinted with a hint of yellow, encourages new ideas. However, this very pale color
can also indicate a lack of confidence and a need for reassurance.
Dark Yellow
The darker shades of yellow indicate an inclination toward depression and melancholy,
lack of love and low self-worth. Dark yellow relates to the constant complainer and the cynic.

Psychology of Color

Yellow

Bibliography
Articles
Airey, D. (2006). How does colour psychology work? Retrieved October 05, 2015, from
http://www.davidairey.com/how-does-colour-psychology-work?
Eric, John, & Paraag. (2007). Color psychology. Retrieved October 05, 2015, from
http://library.thinkquest.org/27066/psychology/nlcolorpsych.html
Johnson, D. (2007). Color psychology. 20002007 Pearson Education, publishing as
Infoplease. Retrieved October 05, 2015, from http://infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html
Morin, A. (2014). How To Use Color Psychology To Give Your Business An Edge.
Retrieved October 05, 2015, from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/02/04/how-to-use-color-psychology-togive-your-business-an-edge/
Smith, K. (2015). All About The Color YELLOW. Retrieved October 05, 2015, from
http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-meaning/color-meaning-symbolismpsychology/all-about-the-color-yellow-4297#.VhJzePmqqko

Electronic Resources
http://nowsourcing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/psychology-of-color.pdf
http://mastersinpsychologyguide.com/articles/color-psychology
http://www.mosti.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ColorPsychology.pdf
https://99designs.com/designer-blog/2011/09/08/how-color-impacts-emotions-andbehaviors/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology
https://precisionintermedia.com/color
http://www.colorpsychology.org/
http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours
Psychology of Color

Yellow

http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-yellow.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm
http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/color_yellow.htm
http://www.colorpsychology.org/yellow/

Psychology of Color

Yellow