A previous study by Vaaler, Morken, and Linaker (2005) studied the effects of interior decorations in a psychiatric ward on its patients. Their study resulted in no difference of the patient's behavior in the different furnished rooms. However a more recent study by Kumi, Conway, Limayem, and Goyal (2013) found that color is not neutral and may influence learning attitudes and outcomes. .
The study will give us an insight into whether the color of walls has any effect on the student's learning and memory. By understanding if wall color has an effect on learning and memory, we can apply these results across classrooms and boost learning. It is hypothesized that there would be a difference in in the mean grade between the normal decorated classroom and cool/warm color scheme classroom. It was also hypothesized that there would be a difference in mean grades between cool color scheme and a warm color scheme. It was also hypothesized that gender would affect room preference and liking. The students will all receive the same lesson plan with minor changes in each room. They will also receive a survey afterwards in order to assess the emotions of the students while they participate.
Proposed Method.
Participants.
In this experiment, we will be using 500 students (250 Male, 250 Female) across various elementary schools around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The students will be selected from various 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classrooms. In this experiment, race and ethnicity is not measured and therefore the participants will be selected at random. .
Materials.
Three different classrooms will be needed in order to test the different hypothesize. One room will be decorated like a normal classroom that can be found in any school. Another room will be decorated in all cool colors, this also includes different shades. And lastly a room will be decorated in all warm colors which also include different shades. The lesson plans will be appropriate for the age and grade level as well as the same for the three conditions.
