Show
Recommended textbook solutions
Myers' Psychology for the AP Course3rd EditionC. Nathan DeWall, David G Myers 956 solutions
Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being13th EditionMichael R Solomon 449 solutions Psychology1st EditionArlene Lacombe, Kathryn Dumper, Rose Spielman, William Jenkins 580 solutions A Concise Introduction to Logic13th EditionLori Watson, Patrick J. Hurley 1,967 solutions Opponent process theory suggests that the ability to perceive color is controlled by three receptor complexes with opposing
actions. These three receptor complexes are the red-green complex, the blue-yellow complex, and the black-white complex. Current research suggests that the true pairings for these receptor complexes are actually blue-yellow, red-cyan, and green-magenta. According to the opponent process theory, the mind can only register the presence of one color of a pair at a time because the two colors oppose one another. The same kind of cell that activates when you see red will deactivate in green light, and the cells that activate in green light will deactivate when you see red. This explains why you can't see yellowish-blue or reddish-green. The opponent process theory of color vision, along with trichromatic theory, contributed to the current understanding of sight. This article discusses this theory, how it works, and the role it plays in our current understanding of vision. Opponent Process Theory vs. Trichromatic TheoryThe trichromatic theory of color vision suggests that people have cells that detect blue, red, and green wavelengths. These are then combined into other colors to create a visible spectrum. While the trichromatic theory clarifies some of the processes involved in how we see color, it does not explain all aspects of color vision. The opponent process theory of color vision was developed by Ewald Hering, who noted that there are some color combinations that people never see. For example, while we often see greenish-blue or blueish-reds, we do not see reddish-green or yellowish-blue. Opponent process theory suggests that color perception is controlled by the activity of two opponent systems: a blue-yellow mechanism and a red-green mechanism. What Opponent Process Theory MeansThe opponent color process works through a process of excitatory and inhibitory responses, with the two components of each mechanism opposing each other. For example, red creates a positive (or excitatory) response in a cell, while green creates a negative (or inhibitory) response. When this cell is activated, it tells the brain that you are seeing red. Meanwhile, there is an opponent cell that gets a positive response to green wavelengths of light and an inhibitory response to red. These two types of cells in a red-green receptor complex can't be activated at the same time. Example of Opponent Process TheoryThe opponent process theory helps explain the perceptual phenomena of negative afterimages. Have you ever noticed how you may see a brief afterimage in complementary colors after staring at an image for an extended period of time after staring away? You can see this effect in action by trying out the following demonstration.
So, how does opponent process theory explain afterimages? According to opponent process theory, staring at the red image for 30 to 60 seconds caused the white and red opponent cells to become "fatigued" (meaning they started sending weaker signals to save energy). When you shift your focus to a blank surface, those cells no longer have the stimuli telling them to fire. When the white and red receptor cells briefly de-activate, the opposing black and green cells fire in response. As a result, you will see a brief afterimage that is black and green instead of white and red. Modern Explanations: Complementary Color Theory Current research has updated this explanation slightly. It seems the green
receptor cells do not activate because the red cells become inhibited. In fact, the afterimage seems to be generated in the brain's cortex, not the retina. According to the complementary color theory, each receptor pairing registers complementary colors—there is no white/black pairing. When complementary colors are added together, they make white. When you were staring at the red image, your brain got used to the red and suppressed the signals it was getting from red cells. When you the shifted your gaze to the white paper, your brain saw less red light than before and mentally "subtracted" red from what it is seeing. The green cells, however, hadn't been suppressed and could send full-strength signals. White "minus" red is green, hence why you saw a flash of green. Which Color Vision Theory Is Correct?Although complementary colors theory is the most up-to-date, the trichromatic theory and opponent process theory help account for the complexity of color vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Kendra Cherry Thanks for your feedback! What is the difference between trichromatic theory and opponent process?The trichromatic theory helps to explain how each type of cone receptor detects different wavelengths in light. On the other hand, the opponent process theory helps explain how these cones connect to the nerve cells that determine how we actually perceive a color in our brain.
What is the difference between trichromatic and opponent process theory of color afterimage?The trichromatic theory explains how the three types of cones detect different light wavelengths. The opponent process theory explains how the cones connect to the ganglion cells and how opposing cells are excited or inhibited by certain wavelengths of light.
How are the trichromatic theory and opponent process similar?The traditional foil to the trichromatic theory of color vision is the opponent process theory, which says that the perception of color is mediated by red/green, blue/yellow, and black/white channels. Both theories are accurate, but describe how color is perceived on different neurological levels.
What phenomena does opponent process theory account for that trichromatic does not?Answer and Explanation: The creation of the opponent-process theory is prompted by the perception of color afterimages phenomena. The trichromatic theory cannot explain this phenomenon because it does not explain how the brain receives information from colors and interprets it.
|