How Red Affects Human Emotion and BehaviorThere is an influence constantly working on our minds, an influence that we may not have not even noticed. It follows us everywhere and we cannot escape it, no matter how hard we try. It doesn't make a sound or move, it just hides silently in plain sight, affecting the way we think. Colors are one of the most effective and least thought out influences on our minds. How come all superheroes have red costumes? Or why do supervillains always wear black? Why are hospitals never painted red and most companies have white, yellow and red for their logos? The most emotionally intense color is undoubtedly red. Although we don't always notice it, red affects our mood, the way we perceive others, our health and even the way we speak. It is also symbolism for a wide range of things we see every day. Moods The least visible effect that red has on us is the way it can change our mood. No one would think of attributing this to a color, it seems a bit silly doesn't it? But in fact it is. It can arouse a range of emotions from passion and love to violence and war (Ahmed Abdul-Sherif). Imagine you walk into a room. Red walls, red furniture, red carpet and red lighting invading the entire room. Without trying, your mind would automatically speed up. You will feel tenser, more aggressive, and sense a rush of urgency or danger even without trying. Since red is such a powerful color, you will rarely see a hospital painted red. “Seeing red in competitive situations such as written exams leads to worse performance” (someone) Red on the cover of an IQ test more often led to a worse score (someone) because he would discreetly push danger, fear and uselessness. energy...... middle of paper ...... seems to dominate the field in its wide range of emotions that affect our mood, our health, our language, as well as all the many things they symbolize . Works Cited Ahmed Abdul -Chérif. “What’s going on in the color red?.” MG. March 11, 2010. the web. March 11, 2010. Hagen, Susan. "Psychological study finds red enhances men's attractiveness." Psychological study reveals that red enhances men's attractiveness. University of Rochester, October 28, 2008. Web. October 28, 2008. Johnson, David. “Color psychology”. Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Web. October 28, 2007. Plitnick, B, MG Figueiro, B Wood and MS Rea. “The effects of red and blue light on alertness and mood in N.” Lighting Research and Technology March 2, 2010. Web. 2012. Tamkins, Therese. “Wearing red can increase your sex appeal.” CNN Health. CNN, October 28, 2008. Web. October 28. 2008..