How We Process Color

Humans process color through six filters according to environmental designer and color expert Frank Mahnke in his book, "Color Environments and Human Response."

Biological Response.
Biological responses are outside of our control. They remain outside the scope of how we as individuals think and feel about a certain hue. They occur on a cellular level.
Collective Unconscious.
According to Carl Jung, the collective unconscious is a reservoir of primordial images. This reservoir extends back through generations, and, therefore, is not based upon individual experience.
Conscious Symbolism and Associations.
These are learned responses. For example, red is symbolic for fire, life, and passion. Thus, there is the Red Cross, the red fire engine, and the red sports car.
Cultural Influences and Mannerisms.
Ethnicity, geographical location, and local mannerisms affect the way people process color. A red wedding dress brings good 'chi' for the bride in many Asian countries. But, if it is worn in most Western countries the guests might think the bride was a harlot.
Styles and Trends.
A crosscurrent of thought on color is manifested in art and architecture. For example, during times of optimism, bright and happy colors are in favor. On the other hand, during times of pessimism - such as when the economy is down - muted colors of brown, black and gray are popular.
Personal Relationships.
Our individual likes and dislikes of color are based on our own color memories, or what is called synesthesia. Synesthesia is the ability of the eye to see color and cause the mind to lapse into the memory of a smell, a taste, or a place. For example, one person may love the color yellow because it brings to mind grandma's yellow dining room and the wonderful taste and smell of her cooking. On the other hand, a person may detest the color yellow because it recalls the color of the classroom in which a nasty teacher was always shouting and sending children to sit in the corner.