Effects of Color Perception and Enacted Avoidance Behavior on Intellectual Task Performance in an Achievement Context

Previous research has established performance impairment in intellectual tasks as a consequence of brief exposure to the color red. Furthermore, previous research has established a mediational process in which avoidance-grounded processes mediate the effect of color perception on intellectual performance. A separate line of research has shown that enacting (i.e., physically engaging in) avoidance behavior elicits avoidance processes in a similar fashion as color. The present research focused on further documenting the relationship between color perception, intellectual performance, and avoidance motivation. Participants were exposed to a color (i.e., red, green, or gray) manipulation and subsequently engaged in an anagram task. Anagrams are often used as a measure of intellectual performance. Anagram tasks require a participant to find a correct solution word from a scrambled set of letters. Additionally, a variable of enacted avoidance behavior (EAB) was included to further assess the color’s role as an avoidance cue. Results indicated that both red and EAB influenced anagram performance relative to other colors. However, potential artifacts were discovered in the anagram task. The discussion concludes with suggestions for anagram testing and ways to pursue similar studies in the future.