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[Matkins]

I just stumbled on a video about the psychological affect the colour red can have, particularly in sport. Take a look:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e7btwV0U9ZU

Maybe this has helped Ferrari be the most succesful team in F1 history and also why they get favored by independant stewards. Maybe it helped Liverpool FC dominate in the 70s and Manchester United FC in the 90s. Last weekend Man' U' and Liverpool played, and Man' U' had to wear white because they were the away side. Liverpool in red won despite being the underdogs. Some people think red is lucky, but perhaps, as the video suggests, it subconsciously indicates dominance in our brains. What do you think?

[cap-dude]

Its true. Strangely I was thinking the very same thing a few days ago.

I remember Brainiac, some guy wore red clothing and it worked in a similar sort of way. But its definitely not a guaranteed help. The red team in GP2 are about worst. But I do think there is some subconscious thing behind it all.

[Jabberwocky]

Perhaps it is because in nature red is the colour of danger, so maybe the brain is just being worried by the colour

That is why I do not like tomatos

[McLaren Fan]

I think I've heard something about this before. Personally, I feel that red is a strong colour, so sends out a certain conscious signal and probably has an unconscious affect on the mind as well.

[przemo]

If it's true, then I wonder from where human brain gets the idea which color is associated with what. I mean, it surely does not have such information at birth, so somehow all or most of people get this from the society or environment. For example: green is a rather calming colour for most people - has anyone ever been attacked by grass? As for black, many people are afraid of the dark; death figure is often potreyed as black. So, if red means dominance or danger or whatever, where would we get this idea from?
I just remembered that people who fight bulls always wave a red cape, but the color means nothing actually. This is a tradition probably, but someone must have associated red with bull (=danger). Human brain is weird.

[Matkins]

If it's true, then I wonder from where human brain gets the idea which color is associated with what. I mean, it surely does not have such information at birth, so somehow all or most of people get this from the society or environment. For example: green is a rather calming colour for most people - has anyone ever been attacked by grass? As for black, many people are afraid of the dark; death figure is often potreyed as black. So, if red means dominance or danger or whatever, where would we get this idea from?
I just remembered that people who fight bulls always wave a red cape, but the color means nothing actually. This is a tradition probably, but someone must have associated red with bull (=danger). Human brain is weird.

The only connection i can seem to make is with blood. And that makes a lot of sense from an evolutionary point of view. Fear and avoid the ones with blood around their mouths.

But bringing this back to F1. Does anyone think this phenomenon shown in the video above, with the olympic tai fighters, could explain why so many decisions seem to go in Ferrari's favor, in recent times atleast? Bearing in mind that the stewards seem to be people called in off the streets to make some one off decisions, it seems possible. But then, in the video the fighting judges used in the scientific study were apparently all experienced proffesionals, and yet they were still biased towards red. Maybe its unavoidable?

[stonemonkey]

I mean, it surely does not have such information at birth

As is said in the clip, many animals use visual signals. Birds, insects, fish, primates, reptiles. Do they go to school to learn the meaning of colour and movement some of which can be quite complex? If instinctive behaviour involved in using and displaying signals as well as responding to those signals can be present in something like an insect then why would it surely not be present in humans? Especially involving activities where there is competition which is probably where those who react more instinctively have an advantage.

Erm... I'll shut up now.

[darwin dali]

I mean, it surely does not have such information at birth

As is said in the clip, many animals use visual signals. Birds, insects, fish, primates, reptiles. Do they go to school to learn the meaning of colour and movement some of which can be quite complex? If instinctive behaviour involved in using and displaying signals as well as responding to those signals can be present in something like an insect then why would it surely not be present in humans? Especially involving activities where there is competition which is probably where those who react more instinctively have an advantage.

Erm... I'll shut up now.

In many animals a whole lot of behaviors/reactions are 'hard wired' or 'instinct' behaviors, so no schooling required. In other species, notably in primates, a lot is acquired or learned knowledge that comes from the parent(s) that raises the young plus their own experiences during ontogeny.

[juggles]

I just stumbled on a video about the psychological affect the colour red can have, particularly in sport. Take a look:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e7btwV0U9ZU

Maybe this has helped Ferrari be the most succesful team in F1 history and also why they get favored by independant stewards. Maybe it helped Liverpool FC dominate in the 70s and Manchester United FC in the 90s. Last weekend Man' U' and Liverpool played, and Man' U' had to wear white because they were the away side. Liverpool in red won despite being the underdogs. Some people think red is lucky, but perhaps, as the video suggests, it subconsciously indicates dominance in our brains. What do you think?

and in the 80s thank you very much.

I've heard this theory before but I'm still not sure I buy it. I'm all for a hypothesis which proves Ferrari get preferential treatment, but I always thought it was more likely because of bribes and blackmail than the colour of the car. Could be wrong though!

Oh, and on the subject of the effect colours can have on people, apparently the reason Petr Cech's kit is orange this season is because it makes the keeper look bigger than if they were wearing any other colour. Again, I'm dubious, but I suppose there might be something in this.

[AKR]

Red always goes faster. Has anyone ever heard that saying?

[bud]

Red didn't help the British in the war of independence

[Matkins]

and in the 80s thank you very much.

Yes ok, calm down.

Oh, and on the subject of the effect colours can have on people, apparently the reason Petr Cech's kit is orange this season is because it makes the keeper look bigger than if they were wearing any other colour. Again, I'm dubious, but I suppose there might be something in this.

I heard that about Cech aswel. It makes sense, but it might just make the strikers try harder.

A couple more examples of red in action. Rafael Nadal won basically all the grand slams over the last year, he wore red for each i think. Then Federer must have caught on to this, he wears red for the US open that took place just recently, and he won that.

[AKR]

Red didn't help the British in the war of independence

Only works for Italians.

[texasmr2]

Red didn't help the British in the war of independence

Only works for Italians.

[bud]

Red didn't help the British in the war of independence

Only works for Italians.

yeah red green white the colours chosen by Napolean Bonaparte