Effects of Color on Memory 1 Running Head: EFFECTS OF COLOR ON SHORT-TERM MEMORY The Effects of Color on Short-Term Memory Between Males and Females

Color-association in memory prompted the question about color and its effects on memory. The primary purpose of this experiment is to find differences in memory retention between a list enumerated in black ink and another enumerated in various colored ink. My hypothesis states that there will be no profound difference between retention of words in black ink and retention of words in different-colored inks. The data collected will be analyzed to find out if either gender is more efficient in remembering words from either black or colored lists. My hypothesis is that no one gender will inherently remember more presented information. In a study conducted by Mecklenbräuker, Hupbach, and Wippich, they have concluded that the recollection of colored objects is just as likely as if the objects were presented in black and white. Previous investigations have shown disparities in recalling information in color. Each subject will be given 2 minutes to try and memorize as many words from the 15-word list as possible. I will then count how many words the subject has remembered. By listing and comparing the data collected, it should be evident which gender remembers more words, assuming one gender remembers more than the other. Words from the list in black ink are more likely to be remembered than words from the colored list. Men retained more words from either list than women had. The results gathered cannot reflect real-life facts and figures because of the controlled nature of the experiment and the uncontrollable variables that need to taken into account