Psychology is a field that still causes a lot of skepticism outside the scientific community.
With so many studies published every day, it can be difficult to know what is relevant and what is not. To guide you through the many studies, here are the four most surprising findings in psychology in recent years.
- Colors have deeper meanings than you think
Many brands use single-color logos to give a certain impression. Research [1] shows that many elements influence the ways in which color is translated into emotion, but it is one aspect of psychology that people love to discuss endlessly.
While you’re sure to recognize the McDonald’s or Apple logo anywhere, what you may not have realized is the research that went into choosing the color(s) they wanted to use for their brand.
You probably already know that yellow is supposed to instill optimism and happiness, but it can also be a sign of clarity and warmth.
While blue can give the impression of dependability, confidence and strength.
Silver, used by brands like Apple and Honda, is supposed to provide balance and have a calming effect.
- A third of us suffer from hallucinations
Surprisingly, more of us experience hallucinations than you might first think. Hallucinations can often occur when someone is severely sleep deprived or suffering from some type of mental illness.
In this study [2], 38.7% of participants admitted that they had hallucinations while awake or asleep.
- We are more likely to do something if someone in authority tells us to do it
You may have heard of Stanley Milgram’s famous study [3] on power, in which a group of people were asked to administer electric shocks to participants, while being able to hear them scream in pain. Despite hearing screams, 63% of those who administered electric shocks continued to be shocked simply because an authority figure ordered them to do so.
Although it is one of the most famous social psychology experiments, it is still fascinating and surprising to find that we might harm others if someone asked us to do so.
- Announcing your goals to others discourages you
Some people believe that once they announce their goals to others, they become set in stone. People are realizing it now, so you should make it happen, right? mistake.
Declaring your intentions satisfies your need for self-identity, so you’re unlikely to put in much effort to achieve it. Four separate studies found that people were more likely to achieve their goals if they kept those goals private.
