Problem Solving with Color: Color’s Effect on Affect and Problem Solving with Subgoal Labels

Abstract

For some students, particular concepts are difficult to understand (Berch & Mazzocco, 2007). Catrambone (1998) identified subgoal labeling as a catalyst for remedying barriers to understanding complex concepts. This study builds on Margulieux and Catrambone’s (2016) research, which examined the effects of subgoal labeling on computer-programming tasks by investigating how performance is impacted by color priming for affective states. Materials used were displayed with red, blue, and green backgrounds as primers. Two control groups with black and no-color backgrounds were used for comparison. The results suggest that color priming did not significantly enhance or inhibit performance. However, there was evidence to suggest that green may be a reliable primer for affect and mood, but not enough to suggest that it be used more than other colors (as evidenced by significant results for the control group). More research should be conducted to examine potential contributing factors for the trends found in this study.