The Effect of Color on the Ability of Recall
The Effect of Color on the Ability to Recall and Recreate a Series of Images from Short Term Memory (STM)
Problem Statement
The purpose of this experiment is to test the role color plays in one’s ability to recall and reproduce a series of objects. Specifically, if presented with images in high contrasting color, does a person have a greater ability to recall and recreate those images from STM compared to images presented in black and white?
Relevance of the Question
The information gained from this experiment can help students and teachers increase their learning and teaching effectiveness. This research has the potential to influence professionals in sales and marketing when bringing new products to market and increasing the “brand ability” of their products.
Literature Review
In searching for similar studies involving color and the impact on STM retention, the following examples were identified:
The Effect of Color on Memory Retention of Items of a List (Mary L. 1999-2000). This study involved two groups. Group A was comprised of Boys; Group B was comprised of Girls. Both groups were in the same age and social group; 12-13 years of age, 6th grade students. The instruments used in this study were two lists. List #1 was composed of 20 words, half black, half color. List #2 was comprised of 40 words, all black. Half the words in List #2 came directly from List #1, while the remaining 20 words were previously un-seen “distracter” words. List #2 included check boxes in front of each word. The instructions to the participants; check off 20 words they had seen from List #1. The results from the study indicated that the Girls scored higher on words presented in color – averaging 7.5 words, compared to an average of 6.5 for black words. The boys also scored higher on colored words averaging 8.0, and 6.5 for black words. Overall, between the two groups the average number of words that were printed in color was 7.8. The average number of black printed
Problem Statement
The purpose of this experiment is to test the role color plays in one’s ability to recall and reproduce a series of objects. Specifically, if presented with images in high contrasting color, does a person have a greater ability to recall and recreate those images from STM compared to images presented in black and white?
Relevance of the Question
The information gained from this experiment can help students and teachers increase their learning and teaching effectiveness. This research has the potential to influence professionals in sales and marketing when bringing new products to market and increasing the “brand ability” of their products.
Literature Review
In searching for similar studies involving color and the impact on STM retention, the following examples were identified:
The Effect of Color on Memory Retention of Items of a List (Mary L. 1999-2000). This study involved two groups. Group A was comprised of Boys; Group B was comprised of Girls. Both groups were in the same age and social group; 12-13 years of age, 6th grade students. The instruments used in this study were two lists. List #1 was composed of 20 words, half black, half color. List #2 was comprised of 40 words, all black. Half the words in List #2 came directly from List #1, while the remaining 20 words were previously un-seen “distracter” words. List #2 included check boxes in front of each word. The instructions to the participants; check off 20 words they had seen from List #1. The results from the study indicated that the Girls scored higher on words presented in color – averaging 7.5 words, compared to an average of 6.5 for black words. The boys also scored higher on colored words averaging 8.0, and 6.5 for black words. Overall, between the two groups the average number of words that were printed in color was 7.8. The average number of black printed
References: Keyser, N.B (1981) SE-1 1981 Indian Seminar, “See the Need, Meet the Challenge,” Hosted by Tutelo lodge 161 Constructing Headdresses, Single Bonnet 16-24 Keyser, N.B (1981) SE-1 1981 Indian Seminar, “See the Need, Meet the Challenge,” Hosted by Tutelo lodge 161 Appliqué, A beginner’s guide to Rosettes 37-42 L., Mary (1999-2000). The effect of Color on Memory Retention of Items of a List. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/SOAR/SciProj2000/MaryL.html Mukherjee, Meenaskshi T. (2003). Do People Remember Color or Black and White Better?, Retrieved January 22, 2010, from http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2003/Projects/J0328.pdf Wikipedia.org (2010) Flag of Germany. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Germany