Editor's Summary

19 May 2005

Better red than not

The colour red is a sexually selected sign of male quality in rhesus macaque monkeys, mandrill baboons and several fish and bird species. And in some instances artificial enhancement of the red display can increase a male's dominance. Supporters of the Red Sox, Manchester United, Ferrari and other 'reds' will be delighted to hear that a similar effect may operate in humans. Across a range of combat sports in the 2004 Olympic Games, wearing red was consistently associated with a higher probability of winning. Perhaps sexual selection has influenced the evolution of human response to colours. And should the colour of sportswear be taken into account to ensure a level playing field?

Brief Communications: Psychology:  Red enhances human performance in contests

Signals biologically attributed to red coloration in males may operate in the arena of combat sports.

Russell A. Hill and Robert A. Barton

doi: 10.1038/435293a

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