BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- A new study suggested
that red color makes men feel more amorous towards women, according to media
reports Wednesday.
The study led by psychology professor Andrew Elliot
of the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, conducted five
experiments to find the effects of color on behavior in relationships.
"It's fascinating to find that something as
ubiquitous as color can be having an effect on our behavior without our
awareness," said Elliot.
The study involved more than 100 men who were shown
pictures of women and asked to rate how pretty they were, how much the men would
like to kiss them, how they would plan a hypothetical date with them and how
much the men would like to have sex with them.
The result showed that men rated women shown framed
by or wearing red as more sexually attractive rather than some other color. When
wearing red, women were also more likely to be treated to a more expensive
outing.
The red effect applied only to males and only to
their perceptions of attractiveness. It did not change their ratings of the
pictured women in terms of likability, intelligence or kindness.
"It could be this very deep, biologically based
automatic tendency to respond to red as an attraction cue given our evolutionary
heritage," Elliot said.
Gay men and color blind men were excluded from the
study.
The study is said to be the first to scientifically
document the effects of color on behavior in relationships.
(Agencies)