The Calming Power of Colour: How Baker-Miller Pink Transformed Behaviour in Prisons.
Drunk-tank pink, also known as Baker-Miller Pink, is the affectionate name for a bubble gum-pink shade of paint famously used in jail cells in San Jose, California, during the 1980s. These "drunk tanks" were cells specifically designated for rowdy or intoxicated individuals, and the colour was chosen for its purported ability to calm aggressive behaviour.
The story of drunk-tank pink begins in the late 1960s with Alexander Schauss, director of Life Sciences at the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington. Schauss conducted extensive studies on the psychological and physiological effects of colour. He was particularly interested in how different hues influenced human behaviour, leading him to a ground breaking discovery.
In 1978, Schauss observed that a specific shade of pink had surprising effects on muscle strength and the cardiovascular system. After experimenting on himself, he found that simply staring at a card measuring 18 by 24 inches in this colour, labelled "P-618," after periods of intentional physical exertion, resulted in a notable decrease in heart rate, pulse, and respiration compared to other colours.
Convinced of the potential for practical applications, Schauss persuaded the directors of a Naval correctional facility in Washington State to test his findings in 1979. Although initially met with scepticism, Schauss convinced the directors to paint several confinement cells in this pink shade. To honour their bold decision, he named the colour Baker-Miller Pink after the directors. The official formulation of Baker-Miller Pink is a mix of red, green, and blue values (R:255, G:145, B:175).
The results were striking. The facility monitored assault rates before and after the cells were painted pink.
According to the Navy's report:
"Since the initiation of this procedure on 1 March 1979, there have been no incidents of erratic or hostile behaviour during the initial phase of confinement."
Remarkably, just fifteen minutes of exposure to the colour was sufficient to reduce the potential for violent or aggressive behaviour.
Schauss explained in his research:
"Visual exposure to a specially designed environment using this colour can produce a marked effect on reducing the incidence of aggressive behaviour."
His findings underscored how even small environmental changes, such as colour selection, can influence human behaviour at both psychological and physiological levels.
"The use of pink colour in reducing aggression and causing muscular relaxation is humane and involves no medication or physical force. The phenomenon affects the endocrine system, causing a tranquilizing effect on the muscle system. The effect cannot be controlled by conscious or unconscious effort."
Schauss demonstrated this effect through repeated experiments, highlighting its potential for calming aggression even in highly stressful environments, such as correctional facilities.
To this day, confinement cells at the facility remain painted in Baker-Miller Pink, and they continue to experience a noticeable reduction in aggressive incidents. Despite these promising outcomes, the use of Baker-Miller Pink in military and correctional settings has been limited, perhaps due to its unconventional nature or the stigma associated with the colour pink in traditionally masculine environments.
This fascinating case highlights the profound impact of colour on human psychology and behaviour. The story of drunk-tank pink serves as a compelling example of how seemingly small environmental changes, like the colour of a room, can have significant effects on mood, behaviour, and social outcomes.
Information Reference Index:
Schauss, Alexander G. (1981). The Physiological Effect of Colour on the Suppression of Human Aggression: Research on Baker-Miller Pink. ResearchGate.
New York Times. (1984). Prison Walls Are Pink, and Inmates Are Tranquil. Article exploring the early implementations and societal reactions to Baker-Miller Pink.
Kwallek, N., & Lewis, C. M. (1990). Colour in Work and Learning Environments: Psychological Effects of Colour and Its Influence on Behaviour. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Walker, Peter. (2011). The Science of Colour and Emotion. A comprehensive discussion on how colour impacts emotional and physical states, with references to the influence of Baker-Miller Pink.
Gilliam, T. (2018). Colour Psychology in Correctional Facilities: The Case of Baker-Miller Pink. A review of subsequent implementations of Baker-Miller Pink in prisons and other settings.
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