Year of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Major

Psychology

Directing Professor

Bonnie Bowers

Abstract

The objective of this study is to understand how background colors influence an individual's perception of another person's interpersonal attractiveness, along with how these factors affect an individual's social support giving and seeking behavior for each presented image. The study aims to explore the effects of color, attractiveness, color associations, and prosocial behaviors. Participants (N = 278) consented to take a 10-minute online survey. The background colors used were red and blue with varied saturation levels (light, medium, and dark) and a white control background. There were no significant effects of background colors and saturation lightness levels found for Interpersonal Attraction and Social Support Seeking. Key findings revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in Interpersonal Attraction ratings with the medium red color background between individuals on their menstrual period (M = 3.98, SD = .72 ) and those who were not at the time (M = 4.63, SD = .51), (F(1, 27) = 6.42, p = .017, n2 = .19). Additionally, there was a strong positive correlation between Interpersonal Attraction and Social Support Seeking for all background colors and saturation lightness levels, r(268) = .611, p < .001, and the background colors of red and blue and their three saturations, r(231) = .618, p < .001. The results indicated the higher an individual is rated in attraction the more likely they are to receive social support and be sought for help. The findings prompt further research into the effects of background colors on these measures.

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