Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Driving Under the Influence: How Music Listening Affects Driving Behaviors
Published on: March 27, 2019
When drivers see red: car color frustrators and drivers' aggressiveness
Nicolas Guéguen1, Céline Jacob, Marcel Lourel
1Université de Bretagne-Sud, Vannes, France. nicolas.gueguen@univ-ubs.fr
Abstract:
Research has found that exposition to red is associated with physiological activation and fighting spirit. A field experiment was conducted to explore whether the color of cars is related to an aggressive response. Drivers waiting at a traffic light were blocked by an experimental car. The color of the car varied (blue, red, green, black, and white). The amount of time that elapsed until the drivers responded by honking their horns or beaming their headlights was the dependent variable. It was found that the red car elicited early aggressive response.
Related Concept Videos
Aggression
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Color Vision
Drive-Reduction Theory: Push Theory of Motivation
Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction

