Odd vs. Even number Psychology

Atishay Goyal
UX Collective

Classification of Things

The ability to classify objects is crucial to thinking. We place objects into categories which helps us predict their capabilities and features. For example, you hear a bark outside your house, and you instantly categorize the sound to be of a dog. You can now predict that a four-legged animal might want to chase a ball or gnaw on a stick. In this way, the defined categories enable you to use your experience and help in understanding new situations.

In the case of numbers, we often categorize them into prime, composite, binary, decimal, etc., but the most common are ODD and EVEN.

I was startled when a colleague asked me, “Why does MS Word have only even number font sizes predefined?” My first response was that “even numbers look to be pleasing.” I knew this was in some way right, but it was only my opinion which had no facts to prove. And a UX designer relies on research, not baseless arguments. So, my study on Number Psychology began.

Public Polling

I did a quick read about the cognitive behind numbers and headed out straight to polling. I asked 185 different people (different countries, cultures, religions) about their most liked number. It was a random question that startled people but, that was the whole point. I did not want them to give it a lot of thought and come up with an answer. Just think of all numbers between 1 to 10 and pick the one which pleases you the most.

Results:

49% liked then number 7

24% liked the number 3

19% liked the number 1

8% Others

While some of the choices were based on Astrology, Birthdate, Family number, etc., most of the options were personality-based. And so, there was still a clear winner amongst all.

http://blog.world-mysteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/number7.jpg

Number 7

Interestingly, our favorite number is 7, an odd number when even numbers are more liked and seen as calmer and better than odd numbers. In fact, in my survey, favorite numbers are much more likely to be odd than even. Our response is determined by arithmetic. The numbers 1 and 10 don’t feel random enough; neither does 2, nor the other even numbers, nor 5, which is right in the middle. So we quickly eliminated all the numbers, leaving us with 7 since 7 is the only number that cannot be divided or multiplied within the first 10. Seven “feels” more random. It feels different from the others, more memorable, because — arithmetically speaking — it is.

From religious connections to being the ultimate “lucky” number, 7 is a number that we all seem to gravitate towards. Some of the numbers mentioned below are bound to cultural beliefs and superstitions, but seven safely seems to be a worldwide favorite. The number could be our favorite due to its constant presence in our world and religion. Here are just a few:

7 Deadly sins, 7 colors in the rainbow, 7 continents in the world

Religion: Seven days to create the earth, seven deadly sins, seven heavens.

Earth: Seven colors in the rainbow, seven continents, seven wonders of the world.

From a marketing perspective, the number 7 is a people pleaser that should be easy to implement. Examples: Jack Daniels Old No.7, 7-UP, 7 Stars.

The Odd Effect — an experiment

In the US, Terence Hines of Pace University conducted another experiment that helps explain why we view odd and even numbers differently. He displayed pairs of digits on a screen. These would be both odd, like 1 and 3; both even, like 6 and 8; or one of each, like 1 and 6.

https://www.kidibot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/odd-even-rule.jpg

Participants were asked to press a button only when either both digits were even or both numbers were odd.

On average it took respondents 20% longer to press the button when both digits were odd. He calls it the “odd effect” — it takes our brains longer to process odd numbers. They are literally more thought-provoking.

Art Gallery - Odd number showcases

At an art gallery, most of the time, we find the number of paintings on a wall to be odd-numbered. This is because even numbers bring symmetry, and we tend to ignore them as they become a part of the ecosystem. But the moment there are odd-numbered structures on the wall, we lose the ability to group them automatically and thereby gaze at them for a while. This attracts attention.

To answer my colleague's question of even-numbered font sizes in MS-Word or other applications,

  1. Even number makes you think less. It has less attention-seeking capability. While drafting a letter or writing a memo, font sizes are essential but not the primary role. Hence, major focus need not be given to the font size. It is one of the most frequently traversed secondary journeys to which the user must get accustomed. Hence the even number.
  2. Also, standard font sizes across devices/paper sizes are generally even-numbered. So, it helps in maintaining standards.

Conclusion

Even numbers feel more homely, friendly and must be used when seeking attention is not the primary objective. Try using odd sequence numbers whenever we need to focus on a subject and demand the user's attention.

References and Inspiration:

About the author

Atishay is a seasoned product designer known for his strategic approach to design and implementation. His work focuses on aligning user needs with business objectives to create impactful digital solutions.

Interested in case studies or potential collaborations? Visit atishaydesign.com 🚀

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Responses (5)

What are your thoughts?

A very interesting read. I just want to share my thought that maybe even sizes are predefined is because we think in powers of 2… for example ‘double the size’ or ‘half’.

Interestingly, our favorite number is 7, an odd number when even numbers are more liked and seen as calmer and better than odd numbers.

This is fascinating! The odd numbers somehow seem more personal, more credible, like a hand-crafted artefact that doesn’t fit the symmetry of a machine-made one.

It is interesting that our favourite number is 7, an odd number, when even numbers are more liked and seen as calmer and better than odd numbers.”
according to who is even numbers better..and calmer?
they aren’t more liked either.