Daily Mail

HUE DONE IT

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WHAT colours do to your body. This week: Red

SEEING red isn’t just about getting angry. Viewing this colour makes your body react faster and more forcefully, studies suggest.

In one of two experiment­s published in the journal Emotion, 30 children were asked to read aloud a number, printed in grey or red, before pinching and holding open a metal clasp. For the second experiment , 46 students squeezed a hand-grip with their dominant hand, while reading aloud the word ‘ squeeze’, shown against a red, blue or grey background.

In both experiment­s, red significan­tly increased the strength the participan­ts used. They also reacted faster.

These findings tie in with previous research that found red triggers the release of adrenaline and increases muscle tension.

Andrew Elliot, a professor of psychology at New York’s University of Rochester, says red is likely to enhance physical reactions because it is seen as a danger signal. ‘Humans flush when they are angry or preparing for attack. People are acutely aware of such reddening in others.’

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