An investigation of the relationship between color choice and depression measured by the Beck Depression Inventory.

The relationship between self-reported depression and color preference was investigated. It was proposed that a cognitive schema would be activated affecting negatively that part of the environment selected for cognitive preference. When requested to select a series of preferred colors, the 72 undergraduates scoring above 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory tended to choose black or brown. It is believed that internal schema represented in 3 questions may be reflected in color choice(s).