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Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
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Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Published on: April 19, 2017

Effects of age on color preference for black and white by infants and young children

J W May, J G May

    Perceptual and Motor Skills
    |February 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Age significantly influences color preference in young children, with infants showing a bias towards black. This early preference differs from that of older children and adults.

    Area of Science:

    • Developmental Psychology
    • Color Perception
    • Infant Studies

    Background:

    • Understanding the developmental trajectory of color preference is crucial for cognitive and perceptual development research.
    • Previous research has not conclusively established age-related differences in early color preferences, particularly for black and white.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the influence of age on the preference for black versus white colors in infants and young children.
    • To determine if early color preferences differ from those observed in older children and adults.

    Main Methods:

    • A color-preference test was administered to 160 children aged 6 months to 4.5 years.
    • Participants included equal numbers of males and females, and Afro- and Euro-American subjects, with 20 subjects per 6-month age interval.
    • A 12-trial test involved presenting pairs of identical toys, differing only in color (black or white), to assess preference.

    Main Results:

    • Statistical analyses (chi-squared test, analysis of variance) revealed that age significantly affected color preference.
    • A notable pro-black bias was observed in the younger age groups.
    • The findings indicate a divergence in color preference between infants/young children and older individuals.

    Conclusions:

    • Age is a determining factor in the color preferences of infants and young children.
    • The observed pro-black bias in early childhood suggests unique perceptual or cognitive factors at play.
    • Early color preferences are distinct from those established in later developmental stages.

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