The Psychology of Yellow Colors

Ever heard of the psychology of yellow colors? If not, you will be amazed by this fantastic color.

The color yellow can be bright and intense, which is perhaps why it can often invoke such strong feelings. Yellow can quickly grab attention, but it can also be abrasive when overused. It can look hot and shiny, but it can also lead to eyestrain.

However, color psychology suggests that certain colors are capable of evoking certain moods and may even influence behavior and well-being. Although color associations can be influenced by many different factors, including past experiences and cultural associations, some colors tend to evoke certain moods or feelings.

“How wonderful yellow is”. It represents the sun”. –Vincent Van Gogh

Learn about some of the emotions and moods the color yellow creates.

Characteristics of the Psychology of Yellow Colors

Certainly, some of the key characteristics that are often associated with the color yellow include:

• Drawing attention: Since yellow is the most visible color, it is also the color that attracts the most attention. Yellow can be used in small amounts to get attention, such as on-road signs or advertisements.
• Hard to Read: Yellow is also the most tiring for the eye due to the large amount of light that is reflected. Using yellow as a background on paper or computer monitors can lead to eyestrain or loss of vision in extreme cases.
• Energetic: Yellow can also increase metabolism.
• Frustration: Yellow can also create feelings of frustration and anger. Although considered a cheerful color, people are more likely to lose their temper in yellow rooms, and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.
• Warm: Yellow is a bright color that is often described as cheerful and warm.

How does yellow make you feel? Do you associate yellow with certain qualities or situations? Remember that the associations people have with color are not necessarily universal. Both cultural differences and individual experiences can shape how people feel in response to certain colors.

To clarify, learn more about how other people react to the color yellow in this collection of answers people have shared over the years.

Yellow is happy

Certainly for many people, yellow is seen as a bright and cheerful color. Advertisers can use it not only to get attention but also to evoke a feeling of happiness.

“I had a math classroom that was painted bright yellow mid-year. However, it completely changed the atmosphere and everyone’s grades seemed to rise. Our math teacher joked that it must be the new painting job, but I fully believed it was. It gave a happy atmosphere and the classes were much lighter and more pleasant”! – Fredye

“The yellow color exudes radiance, light, vitality, energy, optimism, the desire to grow and overcome the shine. Solar stars and sunflowers are the objects that are most associated with the color yellow”. – Janayna

Yellow is energetic

As seen in the following quotes from readers, yellow is often seen as a high-energy color. It is often used in situations and products designed to create a feeling of excitement or energy. It’s shiny and immediately grabs the eye. However, it can appear fresh, intense, overwhelming, or even brash and vigorous in its energy.

“Fully saturated yellow is only good for brief exposure because its stimulating effect is so powerful that it can build up emotional energy very quickly. I know I would probably go crazy in a house with yellow walls. Although it should be noted that a less saturated yellow, such as that found in beaten vegetable paste (butter or margarine) is slightly pleasant and cheerful”. Antony

“Yellow makes me feel happy and energized. I love the bright sunny color and the way it makes me feel. I feel hot like summer. Maybe scary at times, but that’s what gives me energy.” – Val

Yellow can be aggressive

While it may be an energetic color, this intensity can also have a downside. Sometimes yellow can come out as very aggressive and even confrontational. In large amounts, people can feel irritated or even angry when surrounded by yellow.

“I agree that there is a level of aggression and frustration associated with yellow. The walls of my school are all yellow and since the new building opened, there have been more fights in the hallways where there is the greatest amount of yellow. Also, some of the classrooms that have yellow in them have been associated with more frustrated students.” – Jasmine

“I think yellow is a highly irritating color. When I am in a yellow room, my agitation level increases whether I was in a good mood before entering it or not. One reason I think I find it so irritating is that I’m an introvert and yellow is a very exposed color, it’s the kind of color most introverts would naturally dislike. Yellow is definitely the color of an extrovert.” – Allyson

Yellow is complex

Of course, the effects of yellow can be very varied and complex. Not everyone responds to this color in the same way. While some people may find it bright and cheerful, others may find it unpleasant. Some might associate it with a hot summer day, while for others it might be a reminder of bad memories or associations.

“I like the yellow one. For me it’s a happy color associated with flowers and sunshine. But our kitchen is painted yellow and I find that my fiance who has a short temper almost always loses it in the kitchen. He also becomes much more impatient and argumentative. I’ve always suspected it’s the color of the walls. Guests also tend to eat their food faster at the kitchen table than when entertaining in the dining room (white) or outside”. – Marcella

Famous Brands Using Yellow Color Psychology

According to this post (to see click here) from the Success Mindset profile on Instagram, brands use color to increase recognition and drive the customer’s purchase decision, and the psychology of color is one of the most interesting and important aspects of building a brand.

Also in that same post, he mentions MacDonald’s that uses yellow, and that this color is associated with happiness and optimism.

In addition to MacDonald’s, we can mention several famous brands that use the psychology of yellow colors in their logos, from children’s drawings like Pokémon to giants like Oi (telecommunications company), Ferrari(cars), Shell (network of service stations and lubricants) and many others.

A word from the Editor

Although the color yellow can evoke many different psychological reactions, it is important to remember that these responses are often unique to individuals. Some answers, such as the tendency to find yellow hard to read, are more universal. Other associations are often cultural and even person-specific, thanks to different backgrounds and experiences.

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