Unit 3: Theories of Color Vision

Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory

There are 3 types of receptors (cones) with differing sensitivities to different wavelengths that can create all colors: Red, Green, Blue

Color blindness

Lacks one of the three (or more in rare cases) types of cones. (are able to discriminate fewer colors than other people). (Few people are actually void of all cones

Opponent process theory

Color perception is determined by the activity of 3 opponent systems: yellow-blue, red-green, and black-white.

Afterimages

An image continues to appear in one’s vision after the exposure to the original image has ceased.