What colours do less analytical people prefer? A study has the answer

A study led by Juliette Jue y Jung Hee Ha from Universidad Hanyang in Seoul has shaken up the debate by suggesting that colour preferences could be linked to cognitive traits.

The study found that people with a lower IQ tend to favour intense, saturated colours such as scarlet red, fluorescent yellow, lime green, or fuchsia pink. These are direct shades, without nuances, that seek quick and immediate stimulation. In contrast, those who show higher emotional intelligence and a reflective personality prefer softer, more complex tones, such as bluish greys or pastels.

However, the authors stress that this is not about judging or reducing anyone to a colour palette. Aesthetic preferences are multifactorial and also reflect personality, experiences, or unconscious impulses. In the end, perhaps a favourite colour says less about how much we think and more about how we feel and perceive the world.