[Silly] Red edges?

Gunnerp245 · 06-29-2011, 08:02 PM

Found this interesting tidbit about the color red; to do any kind of actual work (i.e. anything requiring critical thinking or on which your performance will be measured), there is a growing body of research indicating that viewing the color red can decrease performance.

From the Journal of Experimental Psychology (2007, Vol. 136, No. 1, 154–168): http://www.psych.rochester.edu/facul...ardt_Color.pdf

Edit: Originally posted by a fellow wooter in the latest PE thread on woot.com

glow · 06-29-2011, 10:50 PM

Oh well, you found me out - I'm just using mine for leisure activities!

Filark · 06-29-2011, 11:25 PM

I like that -- "evokes avoidance motivation" -- lol! Stop! Danger! Do not touch!

Next time I take a test I think I'll wear red to throw off my competition . . . heheh!!

Tried to join Team Red but was foiled in the attempt. <sigh> Team Black instead. Skins FTW!

pyxiwulf · 06-30-2011, 04:45 AM

NOW I know why the stupid thing is slowly refusing to run previously working apps one by one! dangit, I should have only ordered blacks today!!!

sarah11918 · 06-30-2011, 07:05 AM

A few years ago it was all the rage to get teachers to convert to using purple as a correction colour, because red was seen to be as too harsh and intimidating. Purple incorporates the calmness of blue, and it was thought it would offset that knee-jerk "Oh my gosh, my paper's covered in red!" feeling.

I haven't read the article linked yet, but I suspect we'll find this effect is seen because of experiences with the red pen, and not that red is an inherently demotivating colour. In fact, I bet if they conducted experiments using teachers as the subject, we might find that red energizes them or makes them more critical/sharp/astute for the exact same reason. Red still implies criticism, just giving it, not taking it, to teachers.

kennyminot · 06-30-2011, 10:13 AM

Sarah -

I'm in a (sort of) educational discipline, and there is some preliminary research to indicate that the "red ink of death" philosophy is mostly a urban myth. In a relatively small study conducted by Cindy Johanek, she discovered that different ink colors didn't actually change the perception of students, at least when it comes to comments on writing assignments. She discusses it in a book on methodology.

kennyminot · 06-30-2011, 10:22 AM

The sample size was extremely small (N=57), but here's one observation:

Quote:

Overall, and surprisingly, red ink seemed to be slightly preferred by students in this study.

Obviously, you'd have to do more research to draw any firm conclusions.

pyxiwulf · 06-30-2011, 10:30 AM

Heh, as a homeschooling mom, I have one daughter that just the threat of the red pen gets her on track.

Mel · 06-30-2011, 10:38 AM

I work at a college and there was once a faculty member whom administration told to stop correcting in red pen because the students found her too "aggressive." She got even by using a totally unreadable gold glitter pen. The students couldn't tell what she had written but their reports sure were pretty and sparkly.

kennyminot · 06-30-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel

I work at a college and there was once a faculty member whom administration told to stop correcting in red pen because the students found her too "aggressive." She got even by using a totally unreadable gold glitter pen. The students couldn't tell what she had written but their reports sure were pretty and sparkly.

LOL - you can be a monstrous grader in all the colors of the rainbow.

06-29-2011, 08:02 PM	#1
Gunnerp245 Gadget Freak Posts: 1,169 Karma: 1043832 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Device: EE, Note 8	[Silly] Red edges? Found this interesting tidbit about the color red; to do any kind of actual work (i.e. anything requiring critical thinking or on which your performance will be measured), there is a growing body of research indicating that viewing the color red can decrease performance. From the Journal of Experimental Psychology (2007, Vol. 136, No. 1, 154–168): http://www.psych.rochester.edu/facul...ardt_Color.pdf Edit: Originally posted by a fellow wooter in the latest PE thread on woot.com Last edited by Gunnerp245; 06-29-2011 at 08:04 PM. Reason: Give credit where due.

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06-29-2011, 10:50 PM	#2
glow Book and Gadget Fan Posts: 200 Karma: 19698 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ, USA Device: Meebook M7, Assorted Nooks; Kindles Oasis, Voyage, Paperwhite; PE, EE	Oh well, you found me out - I'm just using mine for leisure activities!

06-29-2011, 11:25 PM	#3
Filark Armed with a smile :) Posts: 1,421 Karma: 2463560 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California, USA Device: enTourage eDGe & Pocket eDGe, Samsung Galaxy Note II	I like that -- "evokes avoidance motivation" -- lol! Stop! Danger! Do not touch! Next time I take a test I think I'll wear red to throw off my competition . . . heheh!! Tried to join Team Red but was foiled in the attempt. <sigh> Team Black instead. Skins FTW!

06-30-2011, 04:45 AM	#4
pyxiwulf Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Entourage Edge	NOW I know why the stupid thing is slowly refusing to run previously working apps one by one! dangit, I should have only ordered blacks today!!!

06-30-2011, 07:05 AM	#5
sarah11918 Tablet Enthusiast Posts: 335 Karma: 30400 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura One (formerly: Asus Eee Note, enTourage eDGe EE, Nokia N810)	A few years ago it was all the rage to get teachers to convert to using purple as a correction colour, because red was seen to be as too harsh and intimidating. Purple incorporates the calmness of blue, and it was thought it would offset that knee-jerk "Oh my gosh, my paper's covered in red!" feeling. I haven't read the article linked yet, but I suspect we'll find this effect is seen because of experiences with the red pen, and not that red is an inherently demotivating colour. In fact, I bet if they conducted experiments using teachers as the subject, we might find that red energizes them or makes them more critical/sharp/astute for the exact same reason. Red still implies criticism, just giving it, not taking it, to teachers.

06-30-2011, 10:13 AM	#6
kennyminot Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 90022 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Device: HTC EVO View 4G, HTC Wildfire S, Asus T91MT	Sarah - I'm in a (sort of) educational discipline, and there is some preliminary research to indicate that the "red ink of death" philosophy is mostly a urban myth. In a relatively small study conducted by Cindy Johanek, she discovered that different ink colors didn't actually change the perception of students, at least when it comes to comments on writing assignments. She discusses it in a book on methodology.

06-30-2011, 10:30 AM	#8
pyxiwulf Connoisseur Posts: 76 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Entourage Edge	Heh, as a homeschooling mom, I have one daughter that just the threat of the red pen gets her on track.

06-30-2011, 10:38 AM	#9
Mel Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 6570782 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Android tablet	I work at a college and there was once a faculty member whom administration told to stop correcting in red pen because the students found her too "aggressive." She got even by using a totally unreadable gold glitter pen. The students couldn't tell what she had written but their reports sure were pretty and sparkly.