Color Me Productive

sartin writes "Forget the saturated colors from The Andromeda Strain lab, researchers at The University of Texas report how color affects productivity. The results have some expected (different things work for different people) and some surprising (bright red is very good for some people) tidbits. At long last, I have scientific proof that the taupe and beige on my cubical wall are not the best colors for my productivity."

Comments

Im not imaging it!

[Hardwyred]

These gray cube walls ARE sucking the life out of me!

Strange idea...

[djsmiley]

We have known for a long time that, red, and the combonation of yellow / black has been a warning sign.

We also know that some people react better in stressful situations.

Has anyone tested to see if the same people that react well in stressful situations are more (or less) effected by these color schemes?

I know the artical says "different people", but im wondering on a indivual basis, if this holds true in the other sense.

I.e. Does a person who will stand and fight, match with the same colour scheme as someone else who stands and fights, or does the "way" your mind interpets colours change indenpently of this?

Mystery solved!

[MarkGriz]

I guess that explains the hideous color scheme for the slashdot IT section... it's the color that makes you most productive.
Of course, the fact that your reading it instead of doing work probably negates any potential increase in productivity.

Hawthorne effect

[dpbsmith]

Umpteen decades ago, scientists studying productivity at Western Electric's manufacturing complex were baffled because everything they did seemed to work. They increased lighting levels: productivity went up. They decreased lighting levels: productivity went up. They finally figured out that what was increasing productivity was the workers' perception that management was displaying an interest in improving their working conditions. See Hawthorne studies

An article like "color me productive" that doesn't mention the Hawthorne effect and explain why they don't think this is just more of the same... is garbage.

Furthermore, any study that doesn't compare the relative effects of: spending money on painting the walls red; spending the same money on alternative improvements (bigger cubicles, better chairs, quieter rooms, better lighting); spending the same money on raises... is garbage.

Re:Hawthorne effect

[helix400]

Another slashdot attitude of "I know it all, the professional who researched this for 20 years knows nothing" attitude strikes again!

The Hawthorne study is so tainted with problems it's hard to set up a study any worse. On the other hand, the researcher, who the statistical geniuses of NASA consult, set up a correct study. The problem with the Hawthorne study is that they had little to really compare against. They were only comparing two groups, and measuring if productivity went up, and not by what percentage.

An article like "color me productive" that doesn't mention the Hawthorne effect and explain why they don't think this is just more of the same... is garbage.

No, you're comparing apples and oranges.

The researcher did it very differently. Better setup, many more groups, and accurate measurement of productivity changes. This allows for effective comparison. The researcher can validly ask things like "How much more did red groups work than blue, green, yellow, and purple groups?"

Furthermore, any study that doesn't compare the relative effects of: spending money on painting the walls red; spending the same money on alternative improvements (bigger cubicles, better chairs, quieter rooms, better lighting); spending the same money on raises... is garbage.

What? You're just a cynical thinks-they-know-it-all.

This survey is very useful and desired, (unless you think the NASA folks are idiots). This study's stated goal was to see how colors effect productivity. Your stated goal for a study is also valid, but completely different...you want combine monetary costs and see what is most effective for real world business application.

I don't even need to perform a study on this

[NanoGator]

The color that boosts productivity is green. Green, as in money. Throw money at me, watch how much more I work. No, putting candy that I have to pay for in the kitchen won't boost my productivity. No, bringing a motivational speaker won't boost my productivity. No, telling me we all have to work 18 hours a day to stay with the competition and that I should be excited about the challenge won't boost my productivity. M$O$N$E$Y. MONEY. Gimme money and I'll work harder.

(Sorry, that little rant's been building up in my system for years.)

Now maybe that was a typo

[Julian Morrison]

...and maybe it wasn't, but still I nominate the following word

poductivity

for neologism of the year.

Why you want Andromeda Strain lab colors:

[dexter riley]

Interior Wildfire lab. A message flashes across a computer screen:
DEGENERATIVE CHANGE IN GASKET G455-1
DEGENERATIVE CHANGE IN GASKET G455-2
DEGENERATIVE CHANGE IN GASKET G455-3

HALL: The lab's been compromized!
COMPUTER VOICE: Self-destruct sequence has been initiated. There are now five minutes to detonation.
STONE: Quick, you've got to get up to the taupe level, to stop the sterilization protocol!
HALL: (long pause) Taupe?!
STONE: Yes, there's no substation on the beige or ivory levels. Get going!
Hall slowly walks off.
HALL: (to himself) Taupe? What the hell kind of color is taupe?

Later:
COMPUTER VOICE: There are now thirty seconds to detonation.
Hall exits the stairwell and looks around. The walls are a uniform grey color. He presses the intercom button.
HALL: Hey, Stone! Is this taupe? It all looks gray to me.
STONE: What are you doing on the ecru level? Taupe, Hall! Taupe!
HALL: TAUPE?!? Yeah, I got your taupe right here--

The nuclear device detonates, vaporizing everyone in the complex. The resulting mushroom cloud is a lovely shade of umber.