CONCEPTIONAL AND SYMBOLIC ASSOCIATIONS OF RED COLOR BASED ON VIOLENCE VARIABLE IN 11-12 YEARS OLD CHILDREN

The aim of this study is to determine the conceptional and symbolic associations of red color based on violence variable in 11-12 years old children. The research was conducted with convergent parallel design from mixed method research designs in which quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used together. The study group of the research is composed of 147 secondary schools 7th grade students aged 11-12 years. In the quantitative dimension of the research, the conceptional and symbolic associations scale of red color were used as data collection tool, while the questionnaire form of conceptional and symbolic associations of red color was used in the qualitative dimension of the research. According to the results obtained from the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the study, children who stated that they applied violence were conceptually evaluated the red color through certain messages, experiences or ideas such as blood, anger, murder, danger, fight, violence, power; non-violent children conceptually evaluate the red color through concepts such as love, happiness and freedom. Symbolically, it was found that the children in both groups evaluated the red color through similar symbols such as Turkish Flag, martyr or martyr blood. In this direction, it was determined that the reactions given to the red color stimulus were affected by the violent tendency. It was also found that there is a direct relationship between the tendency of violence and the psychological effect of red color. It is thought that educators working with children should organize in-class activities related to different artistic methods and techniques in order to create color consciousness in children and to understand color-feeling relation.

Keywords

red color, violence, conceptional and symbolic associations of red color