The Influence of Red on Perceptions of Relative Dominance and Threat in a Competitive Context

Recent research has revealed that a person or team wearing red is more likely to win a physical contest than a person or team wearing another color. In the present research, we examined whether red influences perceptions of relative dominance and threat in an imagined same-sex competitive context, and did so attending to the distinction between wearing red oneself and viewing red on an opponent. Results revealed a bidirectional effect: wearing red enhanced perceptions of one’s relative dominance and threat, and viewing an opponent in red enhanced perceptions of the opponent’s relative dominance and threat. These effects were observed across sex, and participants seemed unaware of the influence of red on their responses. Our findings lead to practical suggestions regarding the use of colored attire in sport contexts, and add to an emerging, provocative literature indicating that red has a subtle but important influence on psychological functioning

Interferometric Study of Ionospheric Plasma Irregularities in Regions of Phase Scintillations and HF Backscatter

We investigate the nature of small-scale irregularities observed in the cusp by the Twin Rockets to Investigate Cusp Electrodynamics-2 (TRICE-2) in regions of enhanced phase scintillations and high-frequency coherent radar backscatter. We take advantage of the fact that the irregularities were detected by spatially separated probes, and present an interferometric analysis of both the observed electron density and electric field fluctuations. We provide evidence that fluctuations spanning a few decameters to about a meter have low phase velocity in the plasma reference frame and are nondispersive, confirming that decameter-scale irregularities follow the E × B velocity. Furthermore, we show that these “spatial” structures are intermittent and prominent outside of regions with strongest precipitation. The observations are then discussed in the context of possible mechanisms for irregularity creation.publishedVersio

Mindfulness as a moderator of neuroticismoutcome relations: a self-regulation perspective

a b s t r a c t Neuroticism's prediction of negative emotional outcomes has been linked to negative reactivity tendencies. Dispositional mindfulness, defined in terms of being attentive and aware (versus not) of presentmoment reality, appears to mitigate negative reactivity tendencies. The present two studies, involving 289 undergraduate participants, sought to integrate these two personality-processing perspectives. Neuroticism was an inverse predictor of mindfulness and both neuroticism and mindfulness independently predicted trait anger (Study 1) and depressive symptoms (Study 2). Of more importance, neuroticismoutcome relations were stronger (weaker) among individuals low (high) in mindfulness. The results document the role that dispositional mindfulness appears to play in moderating neuroticism's pernicious correlates. Results are discussed from personality, cognitive, emotional, social, and clinical perspectives

Context and color preferences : does the preference for red vary across romance and achievement contexts?

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rochester. Dept. of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, 2013.Color psychology has a long empirical history. Unfortunately, much of the existing research in this area suffers from methodological problems and lacks a theoretical foundation. The recently proposed Color-In-Context theory attempts to remedy both of these shortcomings by specifying rigorous methodological standards for color psychology research and by offering a broad theory of color and psychological functioning. The most comprehensive tests of the theory to date have been conducted by researchers examining how perceiving the color red can influence psychological functioning in achievement and romance contexts. The present research sought to expand upon these findings by testing the reverse causal path. Specifically, color preferences were measured after various contexts were primed. It was hypothesized, based on previous research and the Color-In-Context theory, that achievement contexts would decrease preference for red, whereas romantic contexts would increase preference for red. Five experiments were conducted which tested these predictions. Although Experiment 1 provided support for the hypotheses, Experiments 2-5 did not. Possible reasons for the unexpected results in Experiments 2-5 are discussed and suggestions are provided for improvements that could be made in future tests of these hypotheses. Overall, the present research did not provide compelling evidence in support of the premise that psychological functioning can influence color perception

(wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.757 Fast track report Red and romantic behavior in men viewing women

In many non-human primate species, a display of red by a female increases attraction behavior in male conspecifics. In two experiments, we investigate an analogous effect in humans, specifically, whether red on a woman’s shirt increases attraction behavior in men. In Experiment 1, men who viewed an ostensible conversation partner in a red versus a green shirt chose to ask her more intimate questions. In Experiment 2, men who viewed an ostensible interaction partner in a red versus a blue shirt chose to sit closer to her. These effects were observed across participants ’ perceptions of their own attractiveness (Experiment 1) and general activation and mood (Experiment 2). Our findings suggest that red acts as a basic, non-lexical prime, influencing reproduction-relevant behavior in like manner across species. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In many non-human primate species, including baboons and chimpanzees, females display red on their body (e.g., chest, genitalia) when nearing ovulation (Dixson, 1983; Gerald, 2003; Setchell & Wickings, 2004). Research has shown that these red displays increase attraction behavior in male conspecifics, as indicated by increased masturbation and mounting attempts (Bielert, Girolami, & Jowell, 1989; Waitt, Gerald, Little, & Krasielburd, 2006). Here we examine whether a display of red by a human female increases attraction behavior in male conspecifics in analogous fashion, substituting red clothing for red chests and genitalia, and question intimacy and physical distance for masturbation and mounting attempts