The Emotional Palette: How Colours Shape Choices | Amirtha Manchari | TEDxRaks Pallikkoodam Youth

Key Concepts

Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light.
Visible Light (VIBGYOR): The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye, consisting of the colors Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red.
Frequency and Wavelength: Characteristics of light waves that determine the color we perceive. Each color has a unique frequency and wavelength.
Pigments: Chemicals that absorb certain frequencies of light and reflect others, giving objects their color.
Absorption: A process where an object absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects the remaining wavelengths, determining the perceived color.
Amplification: A process where certain nanostructures amplify specific wavelengths of light, creating color without pigments.
Phytonutrients/Flavonoids/Provitamins: Specialized plant metabolites responsible for color, flavor, aroma, and nutrient characteristics in food.
Color Addition: The process of mixing primary colors (Red, Green, Blue) to create other colors, including white light.
Color Constancy: The phenomenon where our brain perceives the color of an object as constant, even under different lighting conditions.
Brain Chemistry Influence: The ability of colors to affect our emotions, energy levels, and physiological responses.

Color as Energy and Reflection of Light

The video begins by emphasizing that color is more than just a pigment or a matter of personal preference. It represents energy and has a profound impact on us. The sun emits electromagnetic waves, including visible light, which is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light consists of the VIBGYOR colors. Color is the reflection of visible light from an object's surface. Just as different sound frequencies sound different, different light frequencies appear as different colors.

Pigments and Color Determination

The video explains that pigments are chemicals that absorb certain frequencies of white light and reflect others. The arrangement of electrons in the atoms of a pigment determines which frequencies are absorbed and re-emitted. Objects that appear white reflect all colors of light, while objects that appear black absorb all colors. The color we see is the light that is reflected away from the object.

Absorption vs. Amplification

There are two main ways color occurs: absorption and amplification.

Absorption: Objects absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. The reflected wavelengths travel to our eyes, where cone cells allow our brain to distinguish between colors. Examples include chlorophyll (green in plants) and melanin (skin color). Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue frequencies, reflecting green. Melanin absorbs UV rays and reflects others.
Amplification: Some organisms have nanostructures that interact with certain wavelengths of light. When light strikes these structures, electrons vibrate at the same frequency, amplifying a specific color without pigments.

Phytonutrients and Health Benefits

Pigments in nature are also called phytonutrients, flavonoids, or provitamins. These specialized plant metabolites are responsible for the color, flavor, aroma, and nutrient characteristics of food. Carotenoids, for example, give plants their yellow or orange color. Different colored foods have different health benefits:

Red foods protect against lung diseases.
Orange and yellow foods prevent heart diseases.
White and brown foods have anti-tumor properties.

Color Preferences and Emotional States

The video explores how our favorite colors can reflect our emotional state. For example, yellow represents cheerfulness, positivity, and spontaneity. When given a choice, we choose colors that describe our mental state at that moment, based on the color's frequency and wavelength.

Experiment: Color Addition and Shadows

An experiment is conducted to demonstrate color addition. Three spotlights with primary colors (red, green, blue) are shone on a wall. Where the beams overlap, white light is formed. When the presenter stands in front of the lights, their shadows are colorful because they are blocking at least one beam of primary light. The other two beams mix to create secondary colors (magenta, yellow, cyan). If all three beams are blocked, a black shadow is formed.

Color Constancy and Brain Interpretation

The video discusses color constancy, where our brain perceives the color of an object as constant even under different lighting conditions. An optical illusion with a strawberry is shown, where the pixels are actually gray, but our brain interprets it as red. Another illusion demonstrates how our brain can be fooled by illumination and background color.

Individual Perception of Color

The video emphasizes that no two people view color the same way due to genetic differences in cone cells and the reality we grow up in. When two people say their favorite color is yellow, they are referring to the same pigment with a specific frequency and wavelength, but their perception of that color may be different.

Influence of Color on Brain Chemistry

Colors can influence and alter our brain chemistry. Red, with a longer wavelength, stimulates higher blood pressure and heart rate, making us feel more urgent and energetic. Blue, with a shorter wavelength, has the opposite effect, promoting calmness. Blue light from gadgets decreases melatonin levels, disrupting our sleep schedule.

Practical Applications of Color

The video highlights practical applications of color:

TED uses a red color theme to draw attention and spread powerful ideas.
Wearing blue to a job interview can make you appear more confident.
Wearing black in cold weather helps absorb sunlight.
Using green to make someone feel comfortable and safe.
Avoiding red in workspaces if you feel tired.

Studies show that 90% of the time, our initial judgment is based on color.

Conclusion

Color is a powerful tool that can be used to our advantage. By understanding how color works and how it affects us, we can use it to influence our emotions, perceptions, and behaviors. The video encourages viewers to be mindful of the colors around them and how they impact their feelings and decisions.