J Exp Psychol Gen February 2007 PMID 17324089

Color and psychological functioning: the effect of red on performance attainment.

Andrew J Elliot, Markus A Maier, Arlen C Moller, Ron Friedman, Jörg Meinhardt

Mentions

27
Peak: 1 in Jun 2015
across 4 sources since Jun 2015

Extended reach

35,756
potential audience

Total likes

10

Video views

140

Mentions per month

Jun 2015 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News15 articles
  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a moderate level of agreement with the research, with comments like 'stress induced by red' negatively affecting reasoning, and several posts referencing experimental results showing an increase in errors or lowered scores; the tone shifts between curiosity and affirmation, emphasizing the potential real-world implications of color psychology in testing and performance scenarios.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the documented effects of red on performance, recognizing the research's validity.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate curiosity, referencing specific experiments and results without deep critique.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts engage by citing studies, discussing methodologies, and translating findings into practical implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The group perceives the research as impactful, considering red’s influence on motivation and test results as significant.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates the impact of the color red on performance, suggesting that red can impair achievement by triggering avoidance motivation because it is linked to failure and danger in achievement settings.
  • Experiments show that even brief exposure to red before an important test can negatively affect performance, often outside of conscious awareness.
  • The research also finds that red specifically encourages avoidance behaviors, confirmed through both behavioral choices and brain activity measurements, highlighting the subtle influence of color on motivation and performance.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ELI5 of TLDR
@eli5oftldr · X

Andrew J. Elliot and his colleagues, published "Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment in 2017 This research examined the impact on effectiveness when there was a red color during some tests

Jul 5, 2024 · 4 likes · 16,499 followers View post →
Ari
@arimassoudi · X

Étude de 2007: impact de la couleur sur les résultats du test de QI. Les numéros écrits en rouge ont suscité plus d'erreurs. Conclusion : le stress induit par le rouge altère le raisonnement, entraînant une baisse significative des scores. https://t.co/a1Id6qaytr

Oct 23, 2023 · 1 like · 1,734 followers View post →
Ryo Matsuzaki 松嵜 遼
@ryomtzk · X

20年近く前の研究だけど、受験生で赤色のスマホ持ってる人いたら他の色に買い替えた方が良いかも。 https://t.co/1AsHKtKYCx

Sep 29, 2025 · 1 like · 52 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. https://t.co/AA2ZCxP32x

Sep 1, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. #心理学 #身体化された認知 #色 https://t.co/JCadtYLb3G

May 3, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. https://t.co/WKq5E4kpGk

Apr 19, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →

All mentions

Duval eric
@Duvaleric14 · X

@CyniqueDeGauche Elliot et al. (2007), “Color and psychological functioning: The effect of red on performance attainment”, Journal of Experimental Psychology

Oct 9, 2025 · 13 followers View post →
Ryo Matsuzaki 松嵜 遼
@ryomtzk · X

20年近く前の研究だけど、受験生で赤色のスマホ持ってる人いたら他の色に買い替えた方が良いかも。 https://t.co/1AsHKtKYCx

Sep 29, 2025 · 1 like · 52 followers View post →
ELI5 of TLDR
@eli5oftldr · X

Andrew J. Elliot and his colleagues, published "Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment in 2017 This research examined the impact on effectiveness when there was a red color during some tests

Jul 5, 2024 · 4 likes · 16,499 followers View post →
Ari
@arimassoudi · X

Étude de 2007: impact de la couleur sur les résultats du test de QI. Les numéros écrits en rouge ont suscité plus d'erreurs. Conclusion : le stress induit par le rouge altère le raisonnement, entraînant une baisse significative des scores. https://t.co/a1Id6qaytr

Oct 23, 2023 · 1 like · 1,734 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. https://t.co/AA2ZCxP32x

Sep 1, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. #心理学 #身体化された認知 #色 https://t.co/JCadtYLb3G

May 3, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →
AK
@1qaz5tgb3edc · X

Elliot, A, E., et al. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning: The Effect of Red on Performance Attainment. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1, 154-168. https://t.co/WKq5E4kpGk

Apr 19, 2022 · 5,773 followers View post →