Niusha Jones, Boise State University – The Power of Everyday Object Colors in Emotional Healing

The Academic Minute

The colors in your personal spaces could have a big impact on your mood.

Niusha Jones, assistant professor of marketing at the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University, explores why.

Dr. Niusha Jones is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University. Niusha’s academic research focuses on consumer motivations and psychology of brand and product design, with a particular interest in the effects of design elements on shaping consumers feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Her research has been published in leading outlets in marketing including the Journal of Marketing Research and the Journal of Advertising.

The Power of Everyday Object Colors in Emotional Healing

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Our journey began with a simple observation: the colors that surround us daily might hold more power over our emotions than we realize. To delve deeper, we conducted a study where participants reflected on a challenging experience that left them feeling incapable. Following this reflection, each participant interacted with one of three colored stress balls: a cheerful orange, a soothing green, and a bold, dark black. The choice of colors was intentional, aiming to explore their psychological impact.
The results were striking. Those who held the black stress ball reported a significant uplift in their self-confidence compared to their counterparts with the orange and green balls. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that views bright colors as the most uplifting. Instead, it suggests that darker hues, often associated with strength and authority, can provide a profound sense of reassurance and capability.
Why does this matter? In our daily lives, we’re constantly interacting with objects of varying colors, whether it’s the clothes we wear, the tools we use, or the environments we inhabit. Our study suggests that these colors aren’t just decorative; they’re a reservoir of emotional strength. By consciously incorporating specific colors into our surroundings, we can harness their power to foster emotional healing and resilience.
Looking ahead, the implications are vast. From therapy and counseling to product design and marketing, understanding the emotional influence of color can revolutionize how we support emotional well-being. Imagine a world where the colors of the objects around us are chosen not just for aesthetic appeal but for their ability to heal, empower, and uplift. That’s the future we envision, and it’s a colorful one indeed.

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