Can Colors Improve Memory?
Color is among a persons most important visual experiences. Many would say the highest among them.
Color influences our memory by acting as a powerful informational channel to our brain and our entire cognitive system, and has been found to have a strong impact on memory. It impacts both our level of attention and our emotional state, two critical aspects of how we encode the information and experiences in the world around us.
Color and Attention
It has been well demonstrated that color, specifically warm, bright colors such as red and orange, attract human attention and thereby impact our memory. It is important to note, however, that contrast is key!
A red apple stands out in a sea of green ones, however it becomes lost among other bright red apples!
Color and Emotion
Colors enhance the relationship between emotional arousal and memory. Colors evoke emotions…they make us feel. The amygdala, a powerful region of the brain that is associated with emotional processes, is intimately connected to the hippocampus, the learning and memory center of the brain. The higher our emotional arousal, the more memorable a moment, item or experience can become.
“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.”
-Pablo Picasso
Color and Recall
Research shows us that when color is used to enhance learning (and memory), the colors used should be present for encoding and recall to optimize memory. For example, if the color red is used when memorizing information, then later memory of the information might also be enhanced when the color red is used.
Color and Alzheimer’s Disease
Research has shown that color can even impact memory in Alzheimers Patients. Vivid color cues can help to enhance the short-term memory performance of Alzheimer Disease patients, demonstrating that the use of color is an effective method even in later stages of memory loss.
Color can certainly be shown to enhance memory, however there are also studies that show the opposite affect if the colors used do not produce the right level of contrast. The right color combinations is important for influencing memory retention.
Take a peek at the effect of your favorite colors below, and be sure to learn about The 10 Most Effective Ways to Use Color to Boost Memory
