We began our empirical work with four experiments designed to
test the effect of red on intellectual performance (Elliot, Maier,
Moller, et al., 2007, Experiments 1–4). In the first experiment,
participants completed an anagram test that contained a red,
green, or black subject number in the upper right-hand corner.
Green provided a chromatic contrast to red, its opposite in several
color models, and green has some general associations with approach
motivation. Black, an achromatic color, served as a neutral
control. At the end of this and all experiments in this research
program, participants received a careful debriefing that probed
their awareness of the purpose of the experiment. Results indicated
that participants shown red solved fewer anagrams than
those shown green or black; those shown green or black did not differ