IELTS Listening Part 4: A Lecture on the Psychology of Colour

Part Four. You will hear a lecture about the psychology of colour.

You have some time to look at questions thirty-one to forty.

Now listen carefully and answer questions thirty-one to forty.

Good morning, everyone. Let's start with a quick question.

What colour are you wearing today, and why did you choose it?

Hmm, I see a lot of black and grey out there!

Researchers have studied how colour affects our behaviour for decades.

So, let's begin with red. What does red make you think of?

In one study, students saw red before a difficult test.

And they actually scored lower than students who saw green!

The researchers think red reminds us of danger and mistakes.

Blue, on the other hand, seems to help creative thinking.

Now, why might that be?

Well, we often link blue with the sky and the open sea.

Colour may even affect who wins at sport!

Researchers looked at combat sports at the two thousand and four Olympics.

Athletes wearing red won more often than those in blue!

But, um, we should be careful with that result.

Later studies found the effect was small, and only in close contests.

So, what about colour in shops and restaurants?

Many fast-food brands use red and yellow together.

These colours are said to make us hungry, and in a hurry!

Plates matter too. People often serve themselves less on a contrasting plate.

However, colour meanings are not the same everywhere.

In many Western countries, white is worn at weddings.

But in parts of East Asia, white has traditionally meant mourning.

So, culture shapes our reaction to colour as much as biology.

For next week, please read the article on colour in hospitals.

And maybe try wearing something brighter than grey!

That is the end of Part Four.