Demonstrations of Color Perception and the Importance of Contours

Abstract

A series of easily and inexpensively produced demonstrations provides examples of color perception after receptor cells have adapted to a stimulus. Visual performance under these conditions reveals phenomena that theories of color vision must explain. Students report their impressions of visual stimuli, and a discussion of trichromatic and opponent-process theories follows. These phenomena generate a second series of demonstrations showing the importance of contour information for perception.