Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Red on Perceived Attractiveness. (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lehmann, Gabrielle K.; Elliot, Andrew J.; Calin-Jageman, Robert J.
• Is Part Of: Evolutionary psychology. Volume 16:Number 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: attraction -- color -- mate selection -- red -- systematic review; Evolutionary psychology -- Periodicals; Human evolution -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Biological Evolution; Psychology; Periodicals; 155.705
• DOI: 10.1177/1474704918802412
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7049

Abstract

We conducted meta-analyses of studies that test the red-romance hypothesis, which is that the color red enhances heterosexual attraction in romantic contexts. For men rating women, we found a small, statistically significant effect ( d = 0.26 [0.12, 0.40], p = .0004, N = 2, 961), with substantial heterogeneity, Q (44) = 172.5, pQ < .0001, I 2 = 89% [82, 94], and equivocal results regarding the possibility of upward bias in the estimate. For women rating men, we found a very small effect ( d = 0.13 [0.01, 0.25], p = .03, N = 2, 739), with substantial heterogeneity, Q (35) = 73.0, pQ = .0002, I 2 = 53% [33, 80], and evidence of upward bias in the estimate. Moderator analyses suggest effect sizes may have declined over time (both genders), may be largest when an original shade of red is used (men only), and may be smaller in preregistered studies (women only). We present contrasting interpretations and suggestions for future research.