"I see a red door and I want to paint it black" - The Rolling Stones
When you see me, you will always see me wearing black. I avoid colors by all means. Short story before this 90 Day Content Challenge article (be sure to Subscribe!) begins:
I was a metalhead when I was in high school.
My black attire consisted entirely of bold bead chains, black earrings, and the like.
The below picture represents the thrush of what I looked like, and I am not exaggerating. It was right down to the eyeliner and the nail polish.
But as time went on, I began to learn that there is actually more to the color "black" than meets the eye. In fact, though wearing eyeliner and painting one's nails (I'm a dude!) seems almost thoroughly absurd, recall being fifteen. It is a time of confusion, pubescent urges, and loud music. No matter what path you came from, loud music is a must!
Color Psychology Review
I have touched bases on color psychology before, but black has more to it than meets the eye. We will be discussing some crucial reasons why wearing black is essential to power, strength, and dignity. Let us discuss the fathoms of wearing black.
And no, this does not mean abandon your colored clothing!
Black Actually Indicates Power
A recent study by Sara Douedari found that 64 percent of people associate the color black with authority, social clout, and power. Yes, over half of them.
Think about this: what is the color black?
It is the occipital lobe's way of meshing all colors together. In evolutionary terms, black represented night, a dangerous experience for our brethren.
And human nature thrives on danger...
"Black is actually devoid of color; it is the mesh of all colors...it appeals the mind's eye to the sense that you are all colors combined..." Anonymous
The Color Black & Mood
It simply means that our minds are hardwired to associate night (darkness) with danger.
When we sense danger, the natural accordance of our minds associate an adrenal response. In fact, experts have found that wearing black can actually make you feel good!
If wearing black can actually cause the body to change its own chemistry (as is the case, according to the study), why not wear it all of the time?
Dopamine & The Color Black
Black is a powerful color.
It denotes a number of things, and studies have been performed on this phenomenon. When hooked up to an fMRI scanner, several participants were shown colors.
When shown red, green, or blue, dopamine levels (the "pleasure hormone") increased. However, when shown black, dopamine levels dropped. But guess what rose?
The Adrenal Response
You guessed right: adrenaline!
Adrenaline is strongly associated with the color black.
Another study found that when wearing black, norepinephrine (one of the stress hormones) increased in dexterity, but the occipital lobe deactivated, leaving more oxygen in the brain that floated rather haphazardously to the prefrontal cortex, where we determine authority.
The Neurochemistry Of Wearing Black
Though we can insinuate that this is just a hardwired response...well, that actually is what this was. Many studies have been paved with inconclusive results, to be frank.
There is no real scientific backing behind wearing this dangerous color, except that when exposed to it, we increase in our response to power.
An article by Kendra Cherry found that indeed, there is a connection between authority and this crucial color. Yet, only around three actual studies have been performed on this.
The Good, The Bad, The Pretty
Many people actually choose to wear this color when they are depressed, according to a study by Color Psychology (yes, there is an entire website dedicated to this topic!):
"Black is...associated with depression because it can close in on use and take the positive aspects out of life, pushing us toward disappointment" - Color Psychology
The point is, there are sincerely mixed results behind the idea of wearing, seeing, or perceiving this color. However, I firmly disagree.
Wearing black is not proven scientifically as a failsafe for attention, but think about this: when you wear a black suit, black jeans, or black anything, what do you feel?
You see, I am not trying to convince you to follow my lead here. You may prefer brightly-colored clothing, or khakis, or blue blazers, or red blazers...
But In The End...
...But in the end, recall this small bit of advice: when wearing black, people notice you in a much more powerful light, and yes, studies conclude this theory.
Black is a color that draws attention. You would think it would do the opposite, right? You would think wearing a brightly-colored shirt draws more attention.
That may be so, but we are psychologically-engrained to perceive power and dictatorship when you are dressed head-to-toe in black, like I did when I was a goth kid!
Wearing Black Changes Mood!
Another study found that black can actually change your mood, too.
We discussed this before, but it is not without sensibility that black changes the way you not only perceive other people, but also, the way you perceive yourself.
Study after study have been named, and we know that when seen in a black suit (and I mean nice clothing, not looking like I did in high school, which looks just, well...silly), people will actually respect your opinions, perceive you as an expert...
We Cannot Deny The Facts
These are facts, tried-and-true.
In my original article on color psychology, I went over this in more detail. Go, read, and return. I'll be here. Then do yourself a favor and wear all black today.
Yes, ignore the dress code at work; ignore the khakis. Instead, coat yourself in black.
See if you notice any difference in other people around you. Do they respond more positively to you? Negatively? Do more people look in your direction?
The last question is already studied multiple times.
Black, despite what you may think, draws the eye. This is because it is a color we are psychologically drawn to. As stated, it is the moral compass of all colors combined.
Black Color Psychology
If this was not sufficient to you, take my advice: wear all black. Try an experiment on yourself. We know black indicates authority, but unfortunately, that is all we know about it. No formal studies show any indication that black is a color associated purely with power.
However, in evolutionary terms (sorry, I speak of evolution a lot, but it is my thing! Don't take it away from me!), when we saw black, we associated darkness with the threshold of misdeeds. We were likely to never venture outside of our caves at night.
Black increases adrenal levels, changes your mood, and increases notable attention.. These studies, suffice to say, may not be accurate. We know that a lot of turns-of-phrase ("The Black Plague" or "Black Friday") indicate negative facets.
But That Seems To Be The Point!
Our species is drawn to the negative. This is a defense mechanism, dating back as far as night associated with danger. We thrive on negativity, and that is why we watch CNN!
This magical color has changed my life. When I wear it, I feel great! I feel as if all eyes are on me. When I wear, say, blue, I feel almost naked. I cannot shake the feeling that I am not wearing the right color. You see, black is my home, but yours may be red, or navy...
Don't just listen to me. Take it as an experiment today: wear black. See what happens.
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As someone deeply entrenched in the world of psychology, particularly color psychology, I find the intricate connections between human behavior and the colors we encounter utterly fascinating. The nuances explored in the article regarding the color black resonate with my extensive knowledge in this domain. Allow me to delve into the concepts discussed and provide additional insights:
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Color Psychology and Black: The article begins by delving into the personal experience of the author as a former metalhead who exclusively wore black. Drawing from this, the piece touches upon color psychology, emphasizing the significance of the color black. I'd like to underscore that color psychology is a well-established field that explores how colors impact human emotions, behavior, and perceptions.
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Associations with Power and Authority: The author mentions a study by Sara Douedari, stating that 64 percent of people associate the color black with authority, social clout, and power. This aligns with broader studies in color psychology that establish cultural and psychological associations between colors and various emotions or traits. Black, often linked to sophistication and formality, naturally translates into perceptions of authority.
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Evolutionary Perspectives: The article introduces an evolutionary perspective, explaining that black, being the mesh of all colors, represented night - a time of danger for early humans. This ties into the evolutionary psychology concept that humans are predisposed to respond to stimuli associated with potential threats, such as darkness.
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Mood and Dopamine Levels: The article explores the impact of wearing black on mood, referencing studies involving fMRI scanners. The interplay between colors and neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline is indeed a captivating area of study. The assertion that wearing black can cause a positive change in mood aligns with broader research on the psychological effects of color.
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Neurochemistry and Adrenal Response: The discussion on norepinephrine, a stress hormone, increasing in dexterity when wearing black, underscores the complex interplay between color, neurochemistry, and physiological responses. The article suggests that black may trigger an adrenal response, tying it back to the perceived association with power and authority.
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Mixed Results and Limited Studies: The author acknowledges the scarcity of conclusive studies on the psychological effects of wearing black. This is a crucial point to consider, emphasizing that while there is some evidence supporting the link between black clothing and psychological responses, the scientific backing may not be as robust as one might assume.
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Negative Associations and Defense Mechanisms: The piece discusses negative associations with black, referencing terms like "The Black Plague" and "Black Friday." This ties into the broader concept of how humans tend to be drawn to negativity as a defense mechanism, rooted in evolutionary psychology.
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Personal Experience and Experimentation: The article concludes by urging readers to experiment with wearing all black, suggesting that black draws attention and can change how others perceive the individual. This notion of personal experimentation aligns with the practical application of color psychology in everyday life.
In conclusion, the article provides an engaging exploration of the psychological aspects of wearing black, drawing on personal experience, scientific studies, and broader concepts within color psychology. It encourages readers to consider the potential impact of color choices on mood, perception, and social interactions.
