Psychology
Basic colours and forms may produce ‘instinctive’ human reactions (e.g. red may signal alarm). This assertion is based on the idea that evolution has equipped us with a safety net of fundamental warnings and attractions in relation to our environment.
Art
An understanding of these ‘primordial’ associations may be useful in both the production and deconstruction of artwork. An abstract image which includes reds and jagged shapes (as above) may be seen as ‘aggressive’, while an image with greens and rolling shapes may be calming.