A Multifactor Model of Color Interpretation: Developmental Ranges, Cultural Variability, and Neotenic Shifts

A Multifactor Model of Color Interpretation: Developmental Ranges, Cultural Variability, and Neotenic Shifts presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding how humans interpret color in real-world contexts. Rather than treating hue as a direct and universal psychological signal, the paper proposes a six-factor model in which color meaning emerges from the interaction of color properties, object properties, situational and narrative context, cultural codes, cognitive load, and observer characteristics. A key contribution of the work is the reconceptualization of “observer characteristics.” Developmental age is modeled not as discrete categories but as overlapping developmental ranges, each with empirically grounded central tendencies and confidence intervals. This approach captures the substantial individual variability found in developmental psychology. The model further incorporates neotenic shifts—cases in which functional maturity diverges from chronological age—allowing for more accurate predictions of color interpretation across individuals. The paper also emphasizes the historical and cultural variability of color symbolism, demonstrating that color meanings cannot be assumed to be universal or stable across time. Gender is treated as a socially learned category rather than a biological determinant, clarifying its role in shaping color associations. Three appendices extend the practical and methodological value of the model. Appendix A outlines experimental designs suitable for testing the model’s predictions. Appendix B provides practical guidelines for design applications, including the use of accent colors and hue adjustments. Appendix C illustrates why hue alone is insufficient for interpreting color meaning, showing how narrative context and imposed appearance can invert the emotional interpretation of a color. Overall, the paper offers a flexible, empirically grounded, and context-sensitive framework intended to support both academic research and applied design practice.