Noise in Living Color: Examining Phisiological Responses to Different Types of Color Noise

Publication Date

4-16-2025

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Advisor

Michael Oliver

Presentation Type

Article

Summary

The color noise spectrum refers to a range of noises of varying frequency and density levels. In other words, different color noises (such as white, pink, and brown) exhibit differential ordering and presence of audible frequencies (Benjafield, 2017). Much of the research examining the relationship between sound and physiology focuses on effectors of sympathetic nervous system innervation, such as heart rate and blood pressure (Wigram,1995). Given this information, the present study will seek to identify differential physiological responses to different types of color noise by measuring biofeedback factors, including skin conductance, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. This research will fill a gap in the literature by examining the relationship between different types of color noise and physiological response. Roughly 40 Belmont University students were recruited from the SONA system. Participants vitals were taken with a BIOPAC machine before, during, and after the exposure of both pink and brown color noise. We expect that brown noise, due to its lower frequency will promote relaxation reflected on the results of a lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, high oxygen saturation, and lower skin conductance feedback. The implications of this study will allow for a better understanding of the physiological response to color noise frequencies in terms of its use to promote relaxation, calmness, concentration, and other positive effects.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS