According to the theory of Max Luscher, the human endocrine system influences the color preferences of the individual. American psychologist Alexander Schauss suggested that the opposite pattern should exist and developed his own theory about a calming color. Some researchers consider his work a worthwhile discovery, others continue to criticize. We offer you to get acquainted with the theory of a special color that can get rid of aggression.
Alexander Schauss Theory: A soothing color that neutralizes aggression
In 1979 Alexander Schauss published an article in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. In his work, he claimed that a special shade of pink can cause in a person who observes it "a noticeable slowdown in heart rate, pulse and breathing." It is noteworthy that Schauss himself was the subject of this study.
The psychologist decided to take Max Luscher's theory of the influence of the human endocrine system on his color preferences as the basis for studying the effect of color on a person. Alexander Schauss suggested that if there is such a pattern, then there must be an opposite effect.
According to the Schauss hypothesis, pink is able to influence the endocrine system of each person, causing uncontrolled muscle relaxation. The psychologist stated that this soothing color should be used to neutralize violence and aggression.
After Schauss's work was published, he began experimenting at the US Naval Correctional Center in Seattle. Officers Ron Miller and Jean Baker agreed to paint the cells pink and place new inmates with violent tendencies in them to test the color's effect on them.
The experiment lasted 156 days and during this period there was not a single case of aggressive and uncontrollable behavior. The shade of pink used for the study was named after the officers of the prison – pink Baker-Miller.
Follow-up studies on the effect of color on prisoners
After that, they continued to experiment with a soothing color. So, this shade of pink was used in the Santa Clara County Jail and the Kuiper Center for Juvenile Offenders. In addition, in 2006, the punishment cell of a prison in the Pfäffikon district (Switzerland) was painted with this color. This experiment turned out to be quite successful and after some time the walls in more than ten penitentiary and psychiatric institutions in Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland were also painted in a soothing color.
In 1979, the guest room locker room at the University of Iowa football stadium was painted Baker-Miller pink. This idea came to the mind of the coach of the local team, Hayden Fry, who wanted to induce a passive mood in opponents in this way.
In the early 1990s, the soothing color was used to paint the away locker rooms at the University of Colorado stadium, but over time this was banned and it was decided that the color of the dressing rooms of both teams should not differ.
Criticism of Schauss' theory of the effect of color on prisoners
In 1988, psychologists David Anra and James E. Gilliam conducted their own study on this topic. The experiment involved 54 volunteers who were asked to look at white and then Baker-Miller pink. The researchers studied pulse, blood pressure, hand grip strength, and Wechsler test scores. No differences were found between the conditions during the observation of white and pink, and scientists recommended not to use Baker-Miller pink for painting walls in prisons and colonies.
In 2014, Oliver Genshov, an employee of the University of Mannheim, analyzed behavior in the Pfäffikon Prison. At the end of the study, the scientist found that all prisoners become less aggressive, but this is in no way affected by the color of the walls in the cells.
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