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Color constancy for an unseen surface
Liam J Norman1, Kathleen Akins2, Charles A Heywood1
1Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Our study reveals that color perception arises from surface color, not reflected color. This challenges the classic view that color sensation precedes perception, suggesting a new understanding of visual processing.
Area of Science:
- Visual Perception
- Color Science
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Object color perception is influenced by illumination.
- Two interpretations of color exist: surface color (spectral reflectance) and reflected color (light power).
- The traditional view posits that surface color perception derives from reflected color sensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between surface color and reflected color representations.
- To challenge the classic Aristotelian view of color perception following color sensation.
- To determine whether color perception can occur independently of prior color sensation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized metacontrast-masked priming.
- Presented unseen primes and visible masks under varying illuminants.
- Dissociated prime-mask matching based on surface color versus reflected color.
Main Results:
- Priming occurred when the mask matched the prime in surface color.
- No priming was observed when the mask matched the prime in reflected color.
- Demonstrated that surface color matching is sufficient for priming.
Conclusions:
- Color perception can arise without prior color sensation.
- Challenges the established model of color perception.
- Suggests that vision may prioritize surface properties over raw light input.
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