What does the Trichromatic Theory suggest about color perception?

Study for the ETS Psychology Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Trichromatic Theory of color perception posits that the human retina contains three distinct types of color receptors, each of which is sensitive to different ranges of wavelengths corresponding to red, green, and blue light. This theory explains how the combination and stimulation of these three types of receptors allow us to perceive a wide spectrum of colors.

According to this theory, when light enters the eye and strikes these receptors, it activates them to varying degrees depending on the wavelength of the incoming light. For example, if both the red and green receptors are stimulated strongly while the blue receptor is not stimulated much, the brain interprets this as a yellow color. This foundational understanding of color vision lays the groundwork for explaining how we perceive different colors and why color blindness can occur if one or more types of receptors are absent or malfunctioning.

The other options either misstate the nature of color perception or do not align with the principles established by the Trichromatic Theory. For instance, environmental factors and surrounding colors may influence perception but do not account for the physiological basis detailed in the theory itself.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy