CORRESPONDENCE OF SELF-REFERENT STATEMENTS AND COLOR PREFERENCE '

Summary.-The correlation between the descript~on of 40 undergraduate women's favorite colors and their self-description was investlgnred. Subjects rated adjectives as these applied to their favorite colors, which were selected from the Munsell Book of Color, and then rated the same adjectives as applied to themselves. Analysis indicated that adjective ratings for self-descriptions and favorite colors were significantly correlated at .34, which, however, accounts for but a small proportion of common variance. Previous research workers have correlated color preferences with specific personality traits (Gelineau, 1981; ZBld, Tbth, & Tolna, 1986), and a Like number have discredited such findings. Most have used Luscher's Color Test (Holmes, Buchanan, Dunga, & Reed, 1986). For example, Holmes and Buchanan (1984b) report that the color choices made by subjects on Luscher's test were not consistent under different circumstances. They had subjects make an initial choice, then return after a few days and choose again. Among 52 female subjects, only 10 were consistent. Also, the Luscher Color Test has been criticized as being so generalized that the personality descriptions are applicable to anyone. A study by Holmes and Buchanan (1984b) dustrated the difference in color preference as a function of the object described. Using an over-all color preference and a collection of common objects, they had subjects rate colors for each and showed that subjects indicated a broad diversity in color choices depending on the object. There have also been numerous smdies which attempt to relate color preference to introversion, extraversion, and even neurotic personality characteristics (Gotz & Gotz, 1975; Robinson, 1975; Gelineau, 1981; Choungourian, 1972). The present research indicates that the specific color chosen by an individual is not the relevant issue. Independently of the particular color chosen, the individual will ascribe the same characteristics to the chosen color and to herself. The idea that the description of color may vary with the individual's self-description is novel. This notion holds that there is a correlation between an individual's self-description and the description of the person's favorite color. Method.-Forty university women voluntarily participated. They viewed the Munsell Book of Color (1969) and filled out two descriptive rating scales. The book was viewed under standard lighting and viewing conditions and the colors chosen by the subjects were recorded by the researcher using the numbered coordinates on the page. The two ratings sheets for self-description and color description were identical except for their titles. The instructions, written at the tops of the sheets, were read aloud by the research worker. On the rating sheets were 20 bipolar pairs of adjectives which could be used in describing an individual as well as a color: warm or cold, playful or serious, relaxed or energetic, strong or weak, sophisticated or uncomplicated, romantic or comical, excited or calm, bold or conservative, gentle or harsh, brilliant or dull, daring or reserved, popular or uncommon, fashionable or unfashionable, subtle or conspicuous, emotional or apathetic, spontaneous or controlled, natural or artificial, plain or fancy, feminine or masculine, cheerful or glum. The ratings were made on