Opponent Processes In Colour Vision: What Can Afterimages Teach Us?

Pauli, Ruth (2010) Opponent Processes In Colour Vision: What Can Afterimages Teach Us? University of Birmingham.

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Abstract

To investigate afterimage colours, participants (n=14) formed afterimages by fixating on coloured stimuli in bright light for approximately eight seconds. They then chose one colour from a selection that most closely matched the afterimage they were seeing. Afterimages were found to be complementary to the stimulus colour, rather than corresponding to the opponent pairs. Consequently, the hypothesised opponent mechanisms should be revised to reflect the complementary nature of afterimages. N.B. For the purpose of assessment at the University of Birmingham, this research project was originally submitted as two separate assignments: a literature review (submitted September 2009) and a practical report (submitted March 2010). Both sections have been included here in their original form. Consequently, some of the material covered in the literature review is repeated in the introduction to the practical report.