Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: As the spread of the internet continues, more people than ever search for medical information online when in need of health advice. Color is a prominent part of website aesthetics, and has been shown in the literature to have both positive and negative psychological effects. A total of 120 participants took part in the present study where the effect of the colors grey, blue, orange and red was tested on the task of searching for medical information online. An experimental website was manipulated with different color schemes, inspired by existing popular websites with the purpose of providing medical information online. Participants then used the website to find and comprehend information about a fictitious disease. Overall, the results showed no statistically significant effect of website color on either ratings or time spent using the website. A three-way interaction between color, gender and ratings was found, where females rated the red website significantly higher than males on almost all dimensions. The results are discussed in light of similar findings of the color red and its negative effect on males. Future research involving other areas where the potential effect of color might be of benefit is suggested.
Author: Gabriel Nordeborn
Language: English
Topic: Color perception and design
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1651638800