Reviews laboratory studies of color psychology that have used color patches or chips as the independent variable and classes of evaluative and descriptive responses as dependent variables. Early work in color preference suffers from methodological shortcomings. However, studies after 1950 show fewer extrapolatory claims and greater attention to experimental design and methods of data analysis. Color preference is examined as a function of stimulus color characteristics and individual and group differences. The most significant development of recent studies of descriptive dimensions of color is derived from the use of the semantic differential. Methodological problems are considered in assigning to colors psychological values that are independent of context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)