Colours in clothes and psychological functioning: the impact on emotions and self-esteem

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51798/sijis.v5i4.850

Keywords:

thematic analysis, colour challenge, Navratri festival, symbolism, self-esteem

Abstract

Background: Colours are the object of study in various areas of humanitarian sciences, such as linguistics, cultural studies, and art. In psychology, the effects of colour on behaviour and emotional states are analyzed. The purpose of this research is to explore the preference for colours in clothes Indian students wear and report the results of the “Colour Challenge Week” project. Methods: Simultaneous mixed methods were used in this study: qualitative (a survey, documents analysis: students’ reports) and quantitative (two standardized tests: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the PANAS-SF). Results: The article introduces the survey results among 246 university students aged 18-22 from different states of India. It shows the colours black, white, and blue in clothes are of preference. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to examine the Frequency distribution of values. To find the answer to the research question: “What is the impact of colours in clothes on students’ emotions and self-esteem?” a thematic analysis of students’ reports was performed. Conclusions: The exploration of this topic is far from complete and to uncover all relationships further intensive research is required. Future studies are recommended utilizing bigger sample sizes with a more equal proportion of males to females

Author Biographies

Iryna Soroka, O. P. Jindal Global University, India

Associate Professor. Ph.D. in Psychology, O.P. Jindal Global University, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, India

Neli Balode, Free International University of Moldova

Associate Professor. PhD in Psychology, Head of Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Free International University of Moldova.

Maryna Kutas, №333 School, Ukraine

Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology). Teacher at №333 School, Ukraine.

References

Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918-925. https://doi/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.02.008

Baniani, M. (2022). The association between colors, color preferences, and emotions among Japanese students: From elementary school to university. Color Research & Application, 47(4), 992-1004. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22774

Baron, R. A., & Byrne, D. (1991). Social psychology: Understanding human interaction (6th Ed.). Allyn and Bacon.

Baumgartner, J. J. (2012). You are what you wear: What your clothes reveal about you. Da Capo Press.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101.

Burnasheva, R., & Suh, Y. G. (2020). The influence of social media usage, self-image congruity and self-esteem on conspicuous online consumption among millennials. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 33(5), 1255-1269. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjml-03-2020-0180

Burton, D. (2009). Cross-cultural marketing: Theory, practice and relevance. Routledge.

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120–123.

Cojocaru, S. (2024). The symbolic and psychosemantic polyvalence of colors. Review of Artistic Education, 28, 231–238. https://doi.org/10.35218/rae-2024-0029

Darchen, S., Browning, Y., & Willsteed, J. (2023). Alternative Brisbane: Evolution of goth and punk subcultures as ‘counter-cities’. Cities, 141, 104484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104484.

Daters, C.M. (1990). Importance of clothing and self-esteem among adolescents. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 8(3), 45–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X9000800308

Dou, J. M., & Liu, M. C. (2023). Exploring color metaphor with Behavioral Profiles: A usage-based analysis on the metaphorical meanings of the Chinese color term bái “white”. Lingua, 289, 103539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2023.103539

Gage, J. (1999). Colour and meaning: Art, science and symbolism. University of California Press.

Guéguen, N. (2012). Color and women hitchhikers’ attractiveness: Gentlemen drivers prefer red. Color Research and Application, 37, 76–78. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.20651

Guéguen, N., & Jacob, C. (2012). Lipstick and tipping behavior: When red lipstick enhances waitresses’ tips. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31(4), 1333–1335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2012.03.012

Günes¸ E., & Olguntürk, N. (2020). Color-emotion associations in interiors. Color Research & Application, 45, 129–141. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22443

Hall, A.L., & Rist, R.C. (1999). Integrating multiple qualitative research methods (or avoiding the precariousness of a one-legged stool). Psychology & Marketing, 16, 291–304.

Haller, K. (2019). The little book of colour: How to use the psychology of colour to transform your life. Penguin.

Harding, J. (2018). Secrets of chakras. Ivy Press.

Hong, X., Xiang, Y., Wang, Z., Li, J., Zou, R., & Gao, P. (2024). Contextual modulation of the red-attractiveness effect: Differences in affiliation and competitive settings. Acta Psychologica, 243, 104171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104171

Jain, M. (2022). Effect of minimalistic clothing style on self-esteem among young adults. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 3(12), 1039–1043.

Jonauskaite, D., Abu-Akel, A., Dael, N., Oberfeld, D., Abdel-Khalek, A. M., Al-Rasheed, A. S., … Mohr, C. (2020). Universal patterns in color-emotion associations are further shaped by linguistic and geographic proximity. Psychological Science, 31(10), 1245–1260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620948810

Jordan, C. H. (2020). Rosenberg self-esteem scale. In V. Zeigler-Hill & T.K. Shackelford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of personality and individual differences (pp. 4518–4520). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_1155

Kaya, N., & Epps, H. (2004). Relationship between color and emotion: A study of college students. College Student Journal, 38(3), 396–405.

Khare, A., Mishra, A., & Ceeba, P. (2012). Influence of collective self-esteem on fashion clothing involvement among Indian women. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 16(1), 42–63. https://doi.org/10.1108/13612021211203023

Klein, G. (2003). Image body performativity: The constitution of subcultural practice in the globalized world of pop. In D. Muggleton & R. Weinzierl (Eds.), The post-subcultures reader (pp. 41–49). Berg.

Kudrya-Marais, E., & Olalere, F. (2022). The spiritual language of colour: A case study of colour symbolism in Hindu community in South Africa. Pharos Journal of Theology, 103. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10321

Kumar, S. (2017). The psychology of colour influences consumers’ buying behaviour – A diagnostic study. Journal of Business Management, 16(4), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.12725/ujbm.41.1

Kwon, Y. H. (1991). The influence of the perception of mood and self-consciousness on the selection of clothing. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 9(4), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X9100900406

Lee, Y. A. (2005). Older persons’ successful aging: Relationships among proximity of clothing to self, age identity, and self-actualization (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Michigan State University.

Lombana, M., & Tonello, G. (2017). Perceptual and emotional effects of light and color in a simulated retail space. Color Research and Application, 42(5), 619–630. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22127

Lüscher, M. (2017). Lüscher color diagnostic. https://www.luscher-color.ch/base.asp?p=start.html&s=e&m=m_home.asp

Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. AISHE-J, 9(3), 3351-33514

Magyar-Moe, J. L. (2009). Positive psychological tests and measures. In Therapist's guide to positive psychological interventions (pp. 43-72). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374517-0.00003-6

Masuch, C. S., & Hefferon, K. (2014). Understanding the links between positive psychology and fashion: A grounded theory analysis, International Journal of Fashion Studies, 1(2), 227–246. http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/infs.1.2.227_1

Muratbekova, M., & Shamoi, P. (2024). Color-emotion associations in art: Fuzzy approach. IEEE Access, 12, 37937-37956. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3375361.

Nurlelawati, Ab. J., Rodzyah, M. Y., & Normahdiah, S. S. (2012). Environmental colour impact upon human behaviour: A review. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 35, 54–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.062

Pavey, D. (2009). Colour symbolism. Lulu.com.

Plotnik, R., & Kouyoumdjian, H. (2011). Introduction to psychology. Cengage Learning.

Rajendran, A. (2022). Navratri colours 2023 with date – 9 dress colors to wear during nine days of Navratri 2023. Hindu Blog. https://www.hindu-blog.com/2019/09/navratri-colours-2020-with-date-9-dress.html

Riopel, L. (2019). What is the positive and negative affect schedule? (PANAS). Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/positive-and-negative-affect-schedule-panas/

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press.

Schmitt, K. (2011). Exploring dress and behavior of the emo subculture (Doctoral thesis). Kennesaw State University. http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/etd/465

Sharma, P., Noronha, F. S., & Nayak, A. K. (2023). A correlational study to assess the relationship between body image, appearance contingent self-worth, and self-compassion among youth of Karnataka. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 25, 101461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101461

Sheng, X. (2023). The consumer behavior analysis of virtual clothes. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 10, 100047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100047

Simon, L., & Kelley, T. (2007). Everybody hurts: An essential guide to emo culture. Harper Entertainment.

Solli, M., & Lenz, R. (2011). Color emotions for multi-colored images. Color Research and Application, 36(3), 210–221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/col.20604

Soroka, I. (2023). Gerontophobia in “The coming of age” by Simone de Beauvoir: An interdisciplinary study. International Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(4), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.56734/ijahss.v4n4a7

Suh, J., Lee, Y., & Kim, S.-H. (2018). The effects of collaborated character’s image congruence on cosmetic products evaluation: The relative importance of ideal and actual self-image congruence. Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, 9(2), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/20932685.2018.1426482

Tombs, A.G. (2006). Do our feelings leak through the clothes we wear? In Y. Ali & M. van Dessel (Eds.), Proceedings of Australian & New Zealand marketing academy Conference: advancing theory, maintaining relevance (pp.1–8). Queensland University of Technology.

Tsunetsugu, Y., Miyazaki, Y., & Sato, H. (2005). Visual effects of interior design in actual-size living rooms on physiological responses. Building and Environment, 40(10), 1341–1346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.11.026.

Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2008). Increases in positive self-views among high school students: Birth-cohort changes in anticipated performance, self-satisfaction, self-linking, and self-competence. Psychological Science, 19, 1082−1086. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02204.x

Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegan, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063. https://doi/10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063

Wibrinda, P.M. (2021). Rethinking the “Truth” of identity: Dissecting queerness and emo subculture in Netflix’s the Umbrella academy. Rubikon Journal of Transnational American Studies, 8(2), 139-152. https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v8i2.69691

Williams, S. F. (2012). Emo. In J. Shepherd & D. Horn (Eds.), Continuum encyclopedia of popular music of the world: Genres: North America (vol. 8, pp. 201–203). Bloomsbury.

Xue, Z., Li, Q., Zhao, J., & Zeng, X. (2023). An investigation into the relationship between clothing colors and gender stereotyping in children. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 76, 103559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2023.103559

Zabolotna, T. (2019). Nominative process of fashionspeak. In O. V. Demenchuk & T. V. Kuchma (Eds.), The problems of linguistic semantics: The 4th International scientific and practical conference (pp. 133–136). RSUH.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-06

How to Cite

Soroka, I., Balode, N. ., & Kutas, M. . (2024). Colours in clothes and psychological functioning: the impact on emotions and self-esteem. Sapienza: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 5(4), e24071. https://doi.org/10.51798/sijis.v5i4.850

Issue

Section

Arts & Humanities - Original Articles