Detection and Perception of Colour Regarding Gender and Age Detekcija in zaznavanje barve glede na spol in starost

People have been accompanied by colours throughout the history and through all periods of life. In diff erent eras, colours were also associated with status symbols of diff erent social classes or mythological beliefs. We are often addressed emotionally by colour combinations, since colour perception is always and exclusively a sensorial experience. Various colour combinations can have a pleasant eff ect on us or leave us cold as well as in a state of shock. All of the above, presented the starting point of this research. Detection and perception of sensations through colour was accomplished by preparing a questionnaire related to 12 selected colours. The research included 302 participants from Slovenia, of both sexes and diff erent ages, born from 1940 to 2004. From the obtained results, it could be concluded how popular a certain colour is in a material, design and spiritual sense. Moreover, the results were validated and compared regarding the gender and age of participants, and further compared with the results of previous studies.

Tekstilec, 2020, 63 (1), [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] the infl uence of visible light absorb or refl ect light of diff erent spectral wavelengths. Th e psychological aspect of colours considers the visual system of the observer, dealing with its infl uence on the well-being, consciousness and perception of colours. Th e most important aspect of colour in daily life is probably the one that is least defi ned and most variable. It involves aesthetic and psychological responses to colour, and infl uences art, fashion, commerce, and even physical and emotional sensations [3]. However, detection and perception of colour is not isolated from other sensory elements, but is related closely to: (i) Perception of space and movement (dark colours seem closer, light makes things farther away), (ii) Weight perception (dark colours appear heavy, light lighter), (iii) Th ermal sensations (red, orange, yellow and brown hues are "warm", while blue, green and grey are "cold"), (iv) Touch sensations (velvety are "soft " colours and metallic are "hard"), (v) Odour, (vi) Taste and (vii) Acoustic sensing [4]. Furthermore, red, orange and yellow hues are said to induce excitement, cheerfulness, stimulation and aggression; blues and greens security, calm and peace; and browns, greys and blacks sadness, depression and melancholy [3]. How we perceive colours depends also on our character, mood, past experiences (memory colour eff ect) [5], gender, age and cultural conditions -place and historical period to which we belong [6]. In addition, mental health is one of the very important factors infl uencing colour perception, i.e. schizophrenics have been reported to have abnormal colour perception. Also, specifi c colours can have a therapeutic eff ect on physical and mental disabilities [3]. Many authors have been dealing with colours in history, although, the studies are mainly related to the psychology of colours and their impact on the wellbeing, mood and health. A study similar to our research was published by A. Trstenjak in [10] and later by M. Tušak in [8], which summarised the research by M. Pfi ster [11], Gibson J. J. [12], H. Frieling [13] and others. Th e aim of this study was to investigate the perception of sensations through colour, regarding gender and age, by preparing a survey together with 12 selected colours, representing the whole colour circle. Th e survey included questions about the (un)popularity of colours, the association of colours with joy, favourite colours of clothing and preferred colours of the sleeping area.

Participants
In the presented study, 302 persons participated in total, 195 females and 107 males, from whom 5 persons (1 female and 4 males) had diff erent colour perception disorders (self-proclaimed). In order to compare the obtained results, three groups were generated according to the year of birth, i.e. 1 st group 1940-1970 (47 females and 19 males), 2 nd group 1971-1990 (60 females and 46 males), and 3 rd group 1991-2004 (88 females and 42 males). Th e percentages of participants included in the study regarding the year of birth and gender are disclosed in Figure 1.

Test samples and survey
For the purpose of this research, a survey was prepared with nine questions. Th e fi rst three questions were related to gender, year of birth and the colour vision disorder of participants included in the research, whereas the other six questions were connected to the perception of sensations through colour. Firstly, participants had to sort the 12 selected colours (cf. Table 1) regarding their popularity by creating a personal scale, from the most popular to the least popular colour. Th e next question was related to the perception of joy through colour, i.e. selection of the most and the least joyful colours. In addition, participants needed to select the colour of clothing they prefer to wear and fi nally, what colour they favour for their sleeping room. Th e collected answers were calculated as a percentage of the total number of participants in each group (gender and date of birth). Together with the survey, 12 selected colour samples (i.e. black, grey, white, pink, purple, blue, turquoise, green, yellow, orange, red, brown) were prepared according to the RAL colour system, measured using a UV-VIS SF 600 Plus (Datacolor) spectrophotometer (cf. Table 1) and positioned in the CIE a*b* colour space (cf. Figure 2). Th e survey was conducted in July and August 2018 in a physical form, for all participants to be able to evaluate Tekstilec, 2020, 63(1), 50-59 the same colour patterns, which could not be possible through a social network survey (diff erent screens, screen settings, devices etc.).

Figure 2: Position of colour samples in CIE a*b* diagram
3 Results and discussion

Popularity and unpopularity of colours in general
Th e fi rst objective of the presented study was to determine the popularity scale of the 12 selected colours, regarding gender and year of birth ( Figure  3 -females and Figure 4 -males). Th e diagrams capture the data of the whole scale; thus, a full picture is given of the colour range. Th e favourite colours are shown as a positive proportion of colours (+) above indiff erent colours (less than 5%), and unpopular colours are shown at the bottom of the scale as a negative share (-). From Figure 3, it can be observed that the favourite colour for females born between 1940 and 1970 was blue (19.6%), followed by red, green and turquoise. Th e least popular was brown (30.4%), followed by grey, black and fi nally, pink. Other colours were of minor interest. Th e second female group (1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)) preferred red (14%), blue and green, and refused brown (40%), grey and pink. Th e youngest females preferred black (13.3%), blue and white, and refused brown (39.9%), orange and purple. In general, the least popular colour in all three groups was brown and the central position on all scales was reserved for turquoise, with ca. 4-6% of popularity. Orange, which was popular in the eldest population (8%), proved to be a less popular colour for the youngest participating group, with almost the same share (-8.2%). In contrast, black was shifted from less popular (-10%) by the oldest generation to the most popular colour (13.3%) by younger females. Figure 4 shows the popularity of colours in male groups, from which less diff erence could be perceived in comparison with female groups, i.e. the most popular colour was blue (up to 34.5%), the  least popular pink (up to 29.3%), and indiff erent colours were orange, grey and yellow, with percentage diff erences between ages. If we compare both genders and all ages (cf. Figures  3 and 4), a relatively popular colour was blue, more for males (up to 34.5%), unpopular was brown, more by females (up to 40%), and indiff erent was yellow. In addition, women prefer red and men green colour, and both declined pink (men to a higher extent than women). Th e fi ndings of the presented research were compared with other studies as follows. In 1994, Tušak [8] interviewed gymnasium students and students of secondary vocational schools, and found out that blue was the most popular colour for both genders and for all researched groups. Th e second most popular colour among boys was green (gymnasium) and red (secondary vocational schools). Th e second most popular colour among girls was purple (gymnasium) and black (secondary vocational schools). Th e most unpopular colour at boys was pink, followed by yellow and brown. Th e most unpopular colour among girls was yellow (gymnasium), followed by pink and brown (secondary vocational schools). If we compare the results with our studied group (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004), which was wider, but also included tertiary level students, some similarities as well as diff erences could be found, i.e. blue was the most and pink the least popular colour among males in both studies. Th e biggest diff erences were between the (un)popularities of colours among females.
In addition, Tušak [9] conducted a survey of colour popularity in a group of people aged between 60 and 87 years, without division by gender, which could be compared with our group of participants born between 1926 and 1970. Blue turned out to be the most popular colour in both researches, followed by green (as in our research for males) and red (second most popular colour for females in our study). Th e most unpopular colour in Tušak's research was black, followed by yellow and brown, while in our research, the least preferred colour for females was brown, followed by black, and for males pink, followed by brown. A recent study prepared by Guzelj et al [14] in 2016 examined the emotional response to colours in a sample of the female population in Slovenia, revealing whether a selected colour was perceived as pleasant or not. Similarities with our study could be seen in the popularity of colours by age. Elderly females preferred red and blue, and declined black as a popular colour. Interestingly, in a survey [14], most women selected purple as the colour they like. In our study, purple was less popular among females, except in the group born between 1971 and 1990.

Colour of joy
Figures 5 and 6 present the colour of joy for females and males, regarding their year of birth. From Figure 5, it can be noted that yellow represents joy for females of all tested ages. In the fi rst group (year of birth 1940-1970) and third group (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004), yellow was selected by 34.0% and 55.2%, respectively, followed by orange and pink. Th e middle-aged group preferred yellow (41.7%), followed by red, pink and orange. All the mentioned colours are the so-called warm colours, except for pink. Th e minority of females of all ages (1.7 up to 2.3%) selected turquoise and purple as the colour of joy. Figure 6 presents a rather diff erent perception of joy through colour for men compared to women. In the younger generation (1991-2004), two so-called cold colours, blue and green (following yellow), represented the colour of joy, revealing blue as a very important colour in everyday life. Contrarily, the generation of men between 1940 and 1970 favoured red (26.3%) as the colour of joy, followed by green (21.1%), and yellow and orange in the same percentages (15.8%).
On the opposite side of joyful colours for men, there were white, purple, turquoise and black. Th e study performed by Kovachev and Musek [15] got similar results as presented in our study. Th eir survey included mainly female students, who most oft en associate joy with the red colour, followed by yellow and orange. In our study, women quite oft en selected pink (8.9% up to 16.7%), which was not available in a comparative study [15]. From the physiological point of view, yellow is the strongest colour, and relates to emotions, self-esteem and creativity [4]. Yellow is thought of as joyful, outgoing, open and friendly. In colour-mood association studies, yellow is associated with comedy, happy mood and playfulness. It occupies the largest range in the visible spectrum and has a benefi cial eff ect on the eye and nervous system [16]. In Figure 7, minor diff erences can be observed among the favourite colours of female clothes regarding age. Th e oldest population  preferred blue (29.8%) over black (17.0%) and pink (8.5%), the population in their middle ages (1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)) black (38.3%) over blue (20.0%) and purple (11.7%), and the youngest ones (1991-2004) black (50.6%) over white (19.5%) and blue (9.2%). Th e minority of females preferred brown, purple, yellow and turquise, with small diff erences between ages. It is not surprising that the black colour is the favourite colour for clothes, as it can be combined with all other colours, it is appropriate for all occasions, diff erent subcultures, and can hide body's shortcomings.

Favourite colour of clothing
Th e answers about the favourite colours for clothes among males (cf. Figure 8) were similar to those by females, but in diff erent percentages. Th e eldest population   If we compare the popularity of colours of garments by gender, it can be concluded that the trend is blue and black. Th e choice of black decreases with age, while the popularity of blue increases. Most men preferred cooler colours, while women selected some warm colours as their favourite ones. In some cases, women chose the pink colour that was not found in the men's answers. Th is can be linked to the colour popularity chart (cf. Figure 4), as pink was one of the undesirable colours according to men. Trstenjak [10] investigated in 1996 the popularity of dress colours of persons aged 15 to 22 years, which could be compared with our 3 rd study group (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004). He found out that grey was the most popular colour for males, followed by blue; in our study, black was ahead of blue. Th e female population in Trstenjak's research preferred blue in a high percentage over red in a low percentage. Th e data obtained from both surveys for young female populations are not comparable at all. Two decades have passed since Trstenjak's survey and the above comparison shows that the popularity of certain colours has, as expected, changed over time since the colour of clothes (especially for women) is in close relation with fashion.

Colour of sleeping area
Figures 9 and 10 represent favourite colours of the sleeping area separately for women and men, regarding their year of birth. From Figure 9, it can be observed that the white colour is the fi rst choice for the sleeping area for females of all tested ages. Here, the similarities between groups stopped. In the fi rst group , females also preferred yellow, green and grey, in this order, in the second group (1971-1990) they chose green, yellow and pink, and in the third group (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004), blue, turquoise and orange. Women like cold colours in their sleeping area, e.g. white, blue, green and turquoise, although some also preferred warm colours, e.g. yellow and orange. In the youngest generation, 3.4% of females picked black as their favourite colour for their sleeping place. Th is colour was not favourite for other generations, from which it could be concluded that the younger generation follows the trends and changes colours more easily in indoor surroundings. Elderly men and those in their middle ages were more traditional and favoured the white colour for their sleeping space in relatively high percentages (cf. Figure 10), i.e. 52.6%  and 58.7% (1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990). Th is trend changed with the youngest investigated group, where only 26.2% preferred white. Other popular colours were red and blue , green and blue (1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990), and blue and yellow (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004). Similarly as in the youngest female generation (cf. Figure 9), 4.8% of males (cf. Figure 10) picked black as their favourite colour for their sleeping place. We can conclude that white was the most popular colour for the sleeping surroundings irrespective of gender and age, whereas the popularity of other colours changed by age. Black became the perfect choice for the youngest males and females, although for the 2 nd and 3 rd groups, black was not even on the scale. Van der Voordt et al [17] studied in 2017 studied the popularity of colours in diff erent rooms. His research found that the most popular colour for the bedroom was white, as in our study, followed by red, blue and green, which is similar to our study, with the exception of red, which was not among the favourite colours with our participants. Th e reason for choosing white for the sleeping space could be that people want to have as much light in the room as possible.
White is the colour that refl ects the lightest and therefore works as the brightest of all colours. Th e reason for its frequent choice could also be that white is considered as a safe choice and could be combined with all other shades in smaller proportions.

Conclusion
Th e purpose of the presented research was to investigate the perception of sensations through colour, regarding gender and year of birth, by preparing a survey together with 12 selected colours, representing the whole colour circle. Th e survey covered questions about the (un)popularity of colours, association of colours with joy, favourite colours of clothing and preferred colours of the sleeping space. We could fi nd a symbolism in colours and establish that they can infl uence humans' well-being. Sometimes, we are unaware of their presence. Th e study gained a lot of data, providing a comprehensive view about the perception of colours. Th e presented research gave some general criteria of what we can expect from colours, while their perception still remains an individual choice. Colour perception is diff erent by gender and age, although it is slowly changing with time, which could be a consequence of more aggressive propaganda of fashion/designers' industries through new (social) media and technologies. It would be interesting to perform a more detailed research within the individual sets of data obtained.