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The effect of colour on children's cognitive performance

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 23:14 authored by Alice Brooker, Anna FranklinAnna Franklin
Background The presence of red appears to hamper adults’ cognitive performance relative to other colours (see Elliot & Maier, 2014, Ann. Rev. Psychol. 65, 95). Aims and sample Here, we investigate whether colour affects cognitive performance in 8- and 9-year-olds. Method Children completed a battery of tasks once in the presence of a coloured screen that was one of eight colours and once in the presence of a grey screen. Performance was assessed for each colour relative to the grey baseline, and differences across colours were compared. Results We find a significant difference in performance across colours, with significantly worse performance in the presence of red than grey. The effect of colour did not significantly interact with task. Conclusion The findings suggest that colour can affect children's cognitive performance and that there is a detrimental effect of red. Findings are related to the adult literature and implications for educational contexts are discussed.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

British Journal of Educational Psychology

ISSN

0007-0998

Publisher

British Psychological Society

Issue

2

Volume

86

Page range

241-255

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-11-19

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