Research Title: The effect of language, culture, and other contextual factors on colour-emotion associations

Researchers: Declan Forrester, Lecturer, Southern Cross University; Mitchell Longstaff, Senior Lecturer, Southern Cross University.


Introduction

This research is being conducted by Declan Forrester, a lecturer in educational psychology at Southern Cross University. This study investigates whether identifying as an Australian football supporter and as an Australian influences how people respond to Australia's national colours, green and gold.

What is this research about?

This study explores whether supporting the Australian national football team (Socceroos) and identifying as Australian influences colour associations. Specifically, whether people process and perceive the colours green and gold more positively because of their connection to Australian national sporting identity. Research has shown that people can develop automatic associations between colours and positive or negative feelings through their experiences with sporting teams and national identity, but this has not been examined in the Australian context or during a major international tournament like the FIFA World Cup. The findings will contribute to our understanding of how sociocultural experiences shape the way we perceive and respond to colours.

What will I need to do?

If you agree to take part, you will complete an online study from your own phone, device, or computer. The study has four parts and takes approximately 30 minutes in total. You can complete the study on any phone, device, or computer you own.

The study involves the following:

First, you will answer a short set of questions about yourself and your support for the Socceroos and Australia, which takes approximately two to three minutes. Second, you will complete a colour and word task in which words appear on your screen in different colours. Your task is simply to indicate whether each word is positive or negative by pressing one of two keyboard keys as quickly and accurately as you can. This part of the study has two sections and takes approximately 18 minutes in total, including short practice rounds before each section.

Third, you will complete a short colour rating survey in which you are shown colour squares and asked to rate how much you like each colour and how positive or negative it seems to you. This takes approximately three to four minutes. The study is completed entirely online. No travel is required and there are no additional sessions.

Do I have to participate?

Participating in this study is entirely voluntary. You do not have to participate if you do not wish to. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you are under no obligation to take part. Choosing not to participate will not disadvantage you in any way.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There are no direct personal benefits to participating in this study. However, by taking part, you will be contributing to research that advances our understanding of how national identity and sporting affiliation influence the way people automatically perceive and respond to colours. You will also have the opportunity to request a summary of the study's findings once the research is complete.

What are the risks associated with this research?

This research has been considered to have minimal risk. However, this research does focus on emotions which potentially could expose you to distressing or uncomfortable feelings. If any aspect of this task makes you feel distressed or experience discomfort you are free to take a break from the task or withdraw from the study entirely without affecting your relationship with Southern Cross University, the school, or researchers involved.

What are the possible risks and disadvantages of taking part?

The risks associated with this study are minimal. The word task involves seeing words that have negative meanings, such as words like "terrible" or "worthless." These words are not directed at you personally and are standard stimuli used in psychological research. The expected emotional impact of seeing these words is minimal and temporary. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you are free to stop participating without any consequence. There are no other anticipated physical, psychological, or social risks associated with this study.

What will happen to the information about me?

All data collected in this study will be kept confidential. Your responses will be stored as anonymous data; your name and contact details will not be linked to your task responses or survey answers. Electronic data will be stored securely on a password-protected Southern Cross University system. Data will be retained for a minimum of five years following publication of the research findings, in accordance with Southern Cross University data management requirements and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Only members of the research team will have access to the data. It is anticipated that the results of this research will be published and presented in academic journals and conferences. In any publication or presentation, information will be provided in such a way that you cannot be identified. If you provide contact details to receive a summary of findings, these will be stored separately from your study data and will not be linked to your responses.

What will happen if I decide to withdraw?

You may withdraw from the study at any time during participation without consequence and without needing to provide a reason. You may also withdraw your data after completing the study by contacting the research team within two weeks of completion. After this period, data will have been de-identified, and it will not be possible to withdraw individual responses. If you wish to withdraw your data, please contact Declan Forrester at the email address provided below.

Can I hear about the results of this research?

Yes. If you would like to receive a summary of the study findings once the research is complete, you can provide your email address at the end of the study. Your contact details will be stored separately from your study responses and will not affect your data in any way. The findings will also be published in academic journals and may be presented at research conferences.

Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?

If you have any questions about your participation in this study, please contact Declan Forrester at: declan.forrester@scu.edu.au This study adheres to the ethical review processes of Southern Cross University and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025). If you have concerns or wish to make a complaint about the conduct of the research, please contact the Ethics Office at Southern Cross University on (02) 6620 3611 or email human.ethics@scu.edu.au. All communications will be treated confidentially and handled promptly.

Ethics Approval

This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics/Low Risk Committee at Southern Cross University. The approval number is 2021/024.

By proceeding to the survey, you confirm that you have read the information provided and that you consent to participate in this research and to the use of your data for the stated purposes.

Click "Next" to begin the study or close the tab to exit.