From Pigment to Perception: A Psychological Lens on Colour

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19160472

Arpita Sahal and Neerja Pandey (AIBAS, Amity University Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh)

Colour is a powerful psychological force that shapes human perception, emotion, cognition, and behaviour, influencing experiences across education, marketing, healthcare, design, and digital spaces (Teye & Esseku, 2023; Purohit, 2021; Yang & Shen, 2022). This review paper integrates insights from twenty-two studies published between 2015 and 2025, including systematic reviews, experimental research, and applied studies, to explore how colour psychology operates across cultural and developmental contexts (Jonauskaite & Mohr, 2025; Singh et al., 2023). Findings indicate that warm hues such as red and orange often stimulate energy, enthusiasm, and approach behaviours, while cooler tones like blue and green foster calmness, concentration, and relaxation (Khattak et al., 2020; Lakshmi, 2023). At the same time, these effects are not universalthey are moderated by cultural meanings, age-related differences, and situational context (Jonauskaite & Mohr, 2025; Psychological Survey of Color Perceptions, 2022). Research further shows that strategic colour use can enhance learning, improve memory retention, influence consumer decisions, and support emotional well-being (Verywell Mind, 2023; Shift Learning, 2022; Miles et al., 2021). However, significant gaps remain, particularly concerning the limited exploration of Indian cultural perspectives and the interplay of colour with multisensory experiences (Singh et al., 2023). In conclusion, colour is far more than a visual elementit is a subtle yet powerful psychological tool that can optimize emotional, cognitive, and behavioural outcomes when thoughtfully applied. Future work should expand into culturally specific and interdisciplinary domains, offering practical insights for educators, designers, marketers, and healthcare professionals to create environments that are emotionally supportive, cognitively engaging, and behaviorally effective.