Critical Analysis Of The Article Sense Of Place

Abstract

Color perception can have different meaning to different individuals. Moreover, ambient brightness and forms may be differing making people to have differing opinions about a particular colour because of the variation in spectral sensitivity amongst different people. The goal of this essay is to critically analyse a text titled ‘Psychological Properties of Colours’ with reference to the information provided in learning module one. Hopefully, it will enable us identify the meanings attached to different colours and help us judge and appreciate them.

Critical Analysis

I find this article (Wright 2011) really fascinating and of the best quality I have ever read. It is relevant as it expounds on the importance of different colours as perceived by us. The author herself studied colour dynamics in Carmel, California and most of her practical knowledge was drawn from her psychoanalytical psychotherapy studies at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton. Meaning, she has unquestionable expertise in this area of study. Her works have been cited by many for example, Wikipedia’s page on ‘Horror and Terror’ and online Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Moreover, this particular work is recent and was published in twenty eleven by a renowned publishing house that is; Keyes House found in Dolphin square in London. Her intended audience seem to be institutions that tend to use different colours for advertisements because she says that red colours captures attention very quickly. Other audiences include ordinary people who fancy wearing clothes with specific colours because she advices that colours like black are associated with glamour and sophistication while pink colour is associated with feminism.

The author came out brilliantly in her capability to understand the role of different colours and the meanings attached to them. For instance, she identifies yellow colour as being emotional because it elicits confidence, fear, anxiety and self esteem. The author also shows exceptional abilities in sharing her ideas with the intended reader by providing illustrations which sound applicable. For example, she attaches the colour green to reassurance explaining that it reassures one of rain and very minimal danger of starvation. Additionally, she uses profound scientific analysis to evaluate her information. Particularly, she uses tonal variation and properties in colours to explain difference in colour perception in a more predictable way for example she views the red colour as having the longest wavelength and the most powerful to the eye. It is for this reason that she says that it grabs our attention fast. Of particular interest, is the fact that the author expounds on colours associated with nature, those associated with homes as well as work places and business places. Most of her arguments are reliable; Barry Mound (2006 ) suggests that colour plays an essential role in serving as either a natural that is; danger and invitation or conventional sign that is; social context. In her work Wright relates the colour red to danger, the colour violet to spirituality and the colour green to balance. However, I do find some of her views vague for example she identifies and relates the colour pink with feminism. A view that I think is more biased and represents more of psychological than cultural values. Either, she does not adequately prove this point. Her only reason is that this colour is more nurturing and soothing, a concept which in my view can also apply to the green colour.

Conclusion

This critical analysis provides us with an outlook of someone’s work. It enables us to accurately gauge his or her relevance and the usefulness of the information contained in it. We should therefore be always ready to use and appreciate it when called upon to.

Citations

Merton. R. K.(1957). Social theory and social structure. New York: Free Press.

Crane, T. (2001), Elements of Mind, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Byrne, A. and Hilbert, D. R. (1997): The Philosophy of Color, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Byrne, A. and Hilbert, D. R.(1997): The Science of Color, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Maund, B. (1995): Colours: Their Nature and Representation, Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Hurvich, L. M (1981), Color Vision, Sunderland: Sinauer Press.

Maund, B. (2003), Perception, Chesham: Acumen Press.

Tye, M. (2000), Consciousness, Color and Content, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Campbell, J. (1994), Past, Space and Self, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Hume, D. (1911), Treatise of Human Nature, London: Dent Press.