The Psychophysiological Component of Cultural Difference in Color Naming and Illusion Susceptibility

Abstract

Two classical cognitive phenomena-the naming of colors and the susceptibility to visual illusions-are known to vary across cultures. Explanations for these intercultural differences have, in the past, cen tured on theories of cultural learning, evolution, or relativity. A survey of primary color names reported in this paper suggests a regular geo graphic patterning of color naming identities which parallels the dis tribution of eye pigmentation. It is suggested that differential color sensitivity to short wavelengths, the result of yellow ocular pigment, directly influences color naming. Moreover, this yellow pigment, which reduces chromatic abberation and is therefore advantageous to visual acuity, produces better judgment of certain illusions. The psychophysio logical approach tendered here explains many of the cross-cultural differences in color naming and Muller-Lyer "susceptibility" in a direct and parsimonious fashion.