Why Do We Have Favorite Colors? Answers Here

  • Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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In summary, the conversation discusses the topic of why people have favorite colors. Ivan Seeking brings up a theory that our favorite colors are linked to our subconscious emotions, such as yellow and orange making us feel happy and green making us think of money. He also mentions the concept of synesthesia and how it could potentially be related to color preferences. MajinVegeta shares their thoughts on the complexity of the brain and the possibility of it being simpler than we think. eNtRopY provides a psychological perspective on why people may have certain color preferences, mentioning the association of blue with tranquility and red with anger. The conversation also includes a discussion on the evolutionary advantage of being able to distinguish shades of blue and green, as well as
  • #1
Ivan Seeking
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Why do we have favorite colors? Does anyone know?
 
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  • #2
Greetings Ivan !
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Why do we have favorite colors?
Does anyone know?
I think the Chineese tried to explain these
preferences as reflections of human character.
Don't know if it makes sense or just another
belief. I'll look for a link.
(btw, my favorite color is yellow.)

Live long and prosper.
 
  • #3
I like green and blue, nature and technology
 
  • #4
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Why do we have favorite colors? Does anyone know?

My guess is that some colors make us (subconsciously) feel good. For example, the colors orange and yellow make us subconsciously feel uplifted, happy. Green makes us think of $money$. That's all I know about this.

BTW, my favorite colors are red, $$green$$, black, white, yellow, purple.
 
  • #5
Blue is a good colour. It is primary, and does not stand out as much as red, and yellow is too much like skin colour (for clothes that is).

The sky is blue,in daytime, and is it therefore the colour that we mostly see?
 
  • #6
I'd say plus most definately loves blue...
 
  • #7
Something from my database that caught my attention as potentially related to this question:

http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=00019AA3-7A7C-1D06-8E49809EC588EEDF&pageNumber=1&catID=3
 
  • #8
don't feel blue about blue

We may have some natural programming (psychologically) by enjoying blue sky days as opposed to tornado stuff and btw I don't remember ever being bit by something blue, maybe a black dog, white and beige dog, dark bugs, but not blue things.

gilnv of www.surrealcity.com
 
  • #9
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Something from my database that caught my attention as potentially related to this question:

http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=00019AA3-7A7C-1D06-8E49809EC588EEDF&pageNumber=1&catID=3

Yeahh, synesthesia is very interesting.
 
  • #10
Originally posted by MajinVegeta
Yeahh, synesthesia is very interesting.

I thought so. One can imagine some potential links to preferences in music, color and art, and even things like poetry...of course I only mean to be supposing here. Also, what about the old fingernails-on-the-chalkboard reaction? A common form of synesthesia?
 
  • #11
what a coincidence

Another Sci Am article on synesthesia came up today

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&articleID=0003014B-9D06-1E8F-8EA5809EC5880000
 
  • #12
blue is my favorite color too...
 
  • #13
Me too...
 
  • #14
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
I thought so. One can imagine some potential links to preferences in music, color and art, and even things like poetry...of course I only mean to be supposing here. Also, what about the old fingernails-on-the-chalkboard reaction? A common form of synesthesia?

You know, synesthesia really simplifies it all for us. The brain isn't as complex as we originally thought it to be. I guess it's safe to say that, quite simply, feelings are results of a series of chemical/horomonal reactions. I remember when I first thought about the complexity of the brain. I was in great awe of it. But now, as I am learning more about it, the awe I once felt is slowly deminishing. I think it all seems relatively simpler. I sense a feeling of guilt because I think the brain is simpler than what most people think. Anyone else?

I don't know if the fingernails-on-the-chalkboard reaction would be a form of synesthesia because, from my point of view at least, people cringe due to the excurciatingly high pitched noise it makes.
 
  • #15
Originally posted by MajinVegeta
...the awe I once felt is slowly deminishing. I think it all seems relatively simpler. I sense a feeling of guilt because I think the brain is simpler than what most people think. Anyone else?

I think this depends on how we define the boundaries of science.

http://www.datadiwan.de/SciMedNet/library/articlesN75+/N76Parnia_nde.htm [Broken]

Just in case you missed this one. Also, there is still a lot of strangeness out there. What is my latest count...12 conflicting theories about what constitutes a measurement? These kinds of questions still haunt and limit any formal understanding of things like brains or branes. Don't you think?
 
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  • #16
Take a look at this chumps.

spectrum.gif


Notice anything?

How 'bout the fact that you can distinguish more shades color between blue and green than any other color.

Why can do we this?

Well, some people believe this phenomena is due to the fact that we evolved from out of the ocean where everything is a shade of color between blue and green. Other people believe it's just because most things in nature, like plants and the sky, fall within this color range. So, from an evolutionary standpoint, it is most advantageous to be able to distinguish this range the best.

So why is it your favorite color?

From a mere statistical point of view, the chances of your favorite color being one of the many shades of blue or green (that you can see) are greater than the chances of your favorite color being one of the fewer shades of yellow or red (that you can see). From a psychological point of view, we tend to associate blue with tranquility. For this reason, city busses and subways often have blue lights, so as to reduce violent behavior. Also, prison cells are often painted blue or green. By the same token, we often associate red with pain, irritation and anger. We all know what color you shouldn't wave in front of a raging bull.

eNtRopY
 
  • #17
Originally posted by eNtRopY
From a psychological point of view, we tend to associate blue with tranquility. For this reason, city busses and subways often have blue lights, so as to reduce violent behavior. Also, prison cells are often painted blue or green. By the same token, we often associate red with pain, irritation and anger. We all know what color you shouldn't wave in front of a raging bull.

eNtRopY

I have always found interesting the subtle differences between people - in their taste in music, art, color, etc etc. But your point of statistics is a good one. But even more to the point, why would someone prefer red or yellow?
 
  • #18
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
I have always found interesting the subtle differences between people - in their taste in music, art, color, etc etc. But your point of statistics is a good one. But even more to the point, why would someone prefer red or yellow?

Full or partial colorblindness maybe?
 

1. Why do we have favorite colors?

The preference for certain colors is believed to be linked to our individual personalities, experiences, and cultural influences. It is also thought to be influenced by our biology and genetics.

2. How do we develop a favorite color?

Our favorite color can develop at any age, but it is most commonly formed during childhood. It can be influenced by personal experiences, such as a positive association with a certain color, or exposure to a particular color in our environment.

3. Is having a favorite color a learned behavior?

While some aspects of our color preferences may be influenced by external factors, research suggests that there may also be biological and genetic factors at play. Some studies have found that even infants show a preference for certain colors, indicating that it may not be entirely learned.

4. Can our favorite color change over time?

Yes, our favorite color can change over time. This can be due to changes in personal experiences, cultural influences, or simply a shift in our preferences. It is also common for our favorite color to change as we go through different stages in life.

5. Is there a psychological reason behind having a favorite color?

There are many theories about the psychological reasons behind having a favorite color. Some believe it is linked to our emotions and can evoke different feelings and moods. Others suggest that it may be a way for us to express our identity and personality.

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