Do You Know What Your Favorite Color Says About You?

When you were a little kid, it’s likely that you got asked regularly what your favorite color was, along with other simple questions. While your answer to this question may have only been used for minor things in the past, as an adult it can be utilized to learn more about yourself. Are you wondering what it means if blue is your favorite color? How does blue make you feel in contrast to the color white or green? If you’ve ever wondered what your favorite color says about you, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be talking about color psychology, the psychology of color, color definitions, and what your favorite says about you. Finally, we delve into the psychological effects of color on emotions, decision-making, mood, and behavior.

Color psychology, color meaning, and the psychology of color

Color psychology and the psychology of color are interchangeable terms. We use color psychology to learn what colors drive specific emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. With so many colors found in nature, we’re surrounded by color everywhere we go. Whether it is the calming feeling we get when looking at blue skies or the warmth we feel from the bright yellow sun, colors are everywhere, and they can impact our senses.

Since we are exposed on a near daily basis to different colors that naturally occur outdoors, many people say that blue is their favorite color, often without putting any thought into it. The study of color psychology looks at the effects that different colors have on human behavior.

Color psychology explores the meaning of colors and the effects that different colors and shades have on human behavior. Color can have a significant impact on our emotions and cognitive decision-making when we see a specific color. For example, exposure to blue is likely to have a calming and introspective effect. Red, on the other hand, may cause you to crave excitement and engage in risk-taking behaviors. Color psychology can be used in marketing to either identify or elicit an emotional response based on exposure to a specific color for an extended period. 

Your color personality — what your favorite says about you

Now that you understand how color psychology works, you may have already picked up on the fact that your color preference can speak volumes about you. So, what does the color red actually represent? What does it say about your personality when grey is your favorite? This section will dive into your color character, including a descriptive breakdown of the different color definitions and what your favorite might say about you.

Yellow – According to the psychology of color, if your favorite is yellow, the chances are that you have a sunny disposition. You likely attract people and situations that match your sunny disposition. The color yellow also represents sunshine, which can serve as a constant reminder of warmth and peace.

Purple – The color purple has been associated with wealth, royalty, mystery, and wisdom. It occurs naturally in nature and is often affiliated with affluence, esoterics, and spirituality. In the past, people within the royal family were known for wearing purple.

Orange – If orange is your favorite, you’re attracted to a combination of the color energies of red and yellow; these colors combined make orange. Orange is believed to be an “energetic” color that provides us with a mental boost when we see it. People whose favorite color is orange typically like to express their individuality and make bold statements in fashion and in life. 

Black – Do you find yourself attracted to the color black? It may surprise you to know that there are many misconceptions about the color black. In the past, the color black was often affiliated with evil, anti-social behaviors. At the other end of the spectrum, the color black has also been associated with power, mystery, and intrigue—the color definition of black places it squarely in the category of neutral tones. (Neutral colors are black, brown, and green).

Red – If red is your favorite, you may have a fiery disposition and an explosive personality. Red represents fire, fury, and heat. People attracted to red often exhibit spirited personalities and enjoy living a fast lifestyle.

Gray – You may be more on the conservative side if your favorite color is gray. The color gray represents a blending of the white and black color mix. The color gray is a neutral color that is often associated with positive aspects. If your favorite is grey, you may find that people see you as “formal” or “sophisticated.” The negative aspects of the color gray are often interpreted as dirty or dingy.

Pink – Pink is a combination of white and the color red. When it comes to understanding your color character, pink is believed to represent femininity, love, and romance. It’s no accident that in the past more women wore pink due to its association with femininity. When your favorite is pink, people may perceive you as flirtatious, feminine, and friendly. Like pink, red is also associated with love.

White – White is associated with innocence, purity, and new beginnings. According to experts, white has no discernable hue and scatters all the light reflected outward. This results in the clean and crisp appearance of the white that is in direct contrast to the opposite color of black. Black absorbs all the light and reflects all the hues in the color spectrum all at once.

Green – The color green can represent the natural color of trees found in nature. Green may be seen as soothing or calming. On the negative side, the color green can represent illness, envy, and greed (as the color relates to money.)

Blue – Blue is a very popular color; research finds that most people say their favorite color is blue. You will usually find peace, calm, and introspection in rooms or areas where the dominant color is blue. Outdoors, blue is also everywhere— just look at the sky! People whose favorite color is blue often exhibit the same characteristics of blue, like calmness, peacefulness, and insight (or they may be wishing they could.) The negative aspects of the color blue can represent sadness and feeling down in the dumps.

Brown – The color brown is a representation of earth tones and neutral colors that are often soothing. Brown occurs in nature and can be found in trees, sand, and even skin tones. It represents solidity and steadfastness. If your favorite color is brown, many people likely feel like they can depend on you.

Now that you’ve learned more about color meanings and what your color character may say about you, how do you feel? Does your color character accurately represent who you are as a person? After learning more about different colors, which ones do you think you need to add more of in your life?

The psychological effects of color on decision-making

According to researchers, over 80% of the decisions we make as consumers are based on our interpretation of what colors we like and dislike. When people prefer one color over another, it’s more than just a preference— it influences their behavior. Each color is associated with an accompanying set of moods and behaviors that most of us have when exposed to a particular one.

When it comes to deciding your “color character,” color definition can play a critically important role. For example, if you were presented with a series of colors in a color personality test and asked to choose your top three favorite colors, the colors you chose to make up your color character could be analyzed based on the psychology of color. If you chose black or red, each of these colors have their individual and combined color definitions.

Each color definition has a distinct set of behavioral characteristics that, combined into a colorful character, can help you express your individuality and speak volumes — without saying a word. Psychologists and holistic healing professionals use color psychology as a healing and treatment tool. Marketing is another popular industry where color schemes prevail.

Mental health counseling and color therapy

Color Therapy, also called “chromotherapy,” is a form of therapy that uses color in light combined with psychotherapy treatments to treat mental health issues. Chromotherapy takes insight learned about color and uses specific colors to treat medical and mental health conditions. For example, someone who has trouble resolving internal issues or anxiety may be exposed to blue during a chromotherapy session. People who are having issues standing up for themselves or claiming their personal power may be exposed to orange or red colors. Both colors promote excitement and boldness. When used in counseling, holistic therapy, and even marketing, color psychology can be quite powerful.

Have you ever paid close attention to your favorite brand colors? The color definition behind most brand colors is specific to the brand and the user experience they wish to provide. When used in holistic, medical, and psychotherapy practices, exposure to the colors that correspond to what your body is missing at the time is believed to balance the chakras and body systems. This internal physical balance has the effect of balancing your mental state at the same time.

Online counseling with Regain

If you’re still having a hard time figuring out what your favorite color says about you, a licensed therapist can help. They can interpret your favorite color and the meaning behind it and use it to assist you in whatever area you’re wanting guidance in. Connecting with a therapist can be easier and more convenient with Regain, an online counseling platform. 

With online counseling, you can choose to talk to your therapist through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging. There’s no need to leave your home or drive to get the support you need. Instead, you can start getting help virtually at anytime from anywhere. 

The efficacy of online counseling 

Online counseling has been shown to be just as effective as face-to-face interventions for addressing a variety of mental health concerns. In an assessment of 17 different studies, researchers discovered that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was similarly efficacious for treating symptoms of depression. CBT is a type of therapy that teaches a person how to reframe their negative, unhelpful thoughts into more helpful ones, which can then improve their behavior. 

The takeaway

Now that you understand what your favorite color may say about you, how will you use this information to your advantage? Self-discovery can help you stay true to yourself and live a more meaningful life. Whether your favorite is yellow, purple, or red, the color definition representing your favorite can only provide a glimpse into who you might be. If you want to delve more deeply into what your color preference says about you, contact a professional to get a professional color profile. Regain can connect you with a licensed online therapist who could be instrumental in this process.