The hue of shapes.

Abstract

This article presents an experimental study on the naturally biased association between shape and color. For each basic geometric shape studied, participants were asked to indicate the color perceived as most closely related to it, choosing from the Natural Color System Hue Circle. Results show that the choices of color for each shape were not random, that is, participants systematically established an association between shapes and colors when explicitly asked to choose the color that, in their view, without any presupposition, they saw as the most naturally related to a series of given shapes. The strongest relations were found between the triangle and yellows, and the circle and square with reds. By contrast, the parallelogram was connected particularly infrequently with yellows and the pyramid with reds. Correspondence analysis suggested that two main aspects determine these relationships, namely the "warmth" and degree of "natural lightness" of hues.

Associations between color and shape in Japanese observers.

“…In other words, round shapes tend to be associated with heavy colors, and sharp shapes tend to be matched with light colors. These results partially supported Albertazzi et al (2013), in which color "warmth" ac counted for the FI factor, and "lightness" explained the F2 factor. However, in our preliminary experiment, we also tested the "light/ dark" ratings of colors and shapes, but we did not observe any congruent correlations with color and shape contributions to the FI or F2 factors.…”

“…Color warmth seemed to play a role in the color-shape associations (Albertazzi et al, 2013). Therefore, we examined the consis tency of the color-shape associations according to color warmth.…”

Cross-Modal Associations between Color and Haptics

“…Similarly to other studies on cross-modal associations with color where brightness emerged as a salient characteristic (e.g., Albertazzi & Da Pos, 2012;Kim, 2013), we have found a strong relationship between brightness and intensity of haptic stimuli across all haptic sensations. The most intense haptic sensations were associated with the color choices of the lowest brightness.…”

“…Another reason for eliminating this characteristic is that Ludwig and Simner viewed pointiness/roundness as one property with pointy on one side of the continuum and round on the other side; it is, however, unclear whether we actually perceive pointy/round as a property rather than independent shape characteristic, and whether we actually perceive a sphere, for example, to be on the other side to a triangle on the continuum. This is a particularly problematic issue considering that visual shapes are systematically associated with information from other modalities (e.g., Albertazzi & Da Pos, 2012;Spector & Maurer, 2011). Taking into account the evidence that tactile and visual shape processing converge in the lateral occipital complex (Amedi et al, 2002), one might also consider the possibility of the spillover of visual shape and color associations to tactile shape and color association.…”

Predicting Context-dependent Cross-modal Associations with Dimension-specific Polarity Attributions. Part 2: Red and Valence

“…However, alternative dimensions could also explain these associations. For example, Albertazzi et al (2013) reported on a compatibility effect between specific hues and shapes. In their studies, participants were presented with several shapes (e.g., cone, triangle, square), and were asked to choose a color from a Hue Circle, which they thought was mostly related to the shape.…”