Electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis of hue perception differences between art and non-art majors: insights from...

Color plays a pivotal role in visual perception, shaping emotions, attention, and cognition, particularly in art-related contexts. However, the influence of artistic training on color perception and neural processing remains poorly understood.

This study examined differences in color perception between art and non-art groups using behavioral ratings and EEG data. Forty-four participants (22 art majors: 21.82 ± 1.56 years old; 22 non-art majors: 20.73 ± 1.67 years old) with an equal gender ratio were recruited. Participants completed color perception tasks involving cool, warm, and neutral hues while EEG data were recorded with a 65-electrode system. Behavioral ratings and ERP components (P2 and P3) were analyzed, supplemented by decoding analysis to uncover neural processing patterns.

Behavioral data indicated that warm hues elicited higher emotional valence ratings than cool and neutral hues for both groups. EEG analysis revealed that warm and cool hues evoked larger P3 amplitudes compared to neutral hues. A group-hue interaction was observed in the P2 component, with the non-art group showing greater variability in P2 amplitudes across hues. Decoding analysis provided further evidence of distinct neural processing differences between the two groups.

These findings demonstrate that color perception differs between art and non-art groups, particularly in the neural processing of the P2 component. Warm and cool hues elicit stronger emotional and attentional responses, highlighting distinct cognitive mechanisms influenced by artistic expertise.