Summary
A computer-driven colour television monitor with separate red, green and blue input channels is employed to measure the luminance-difference thresholds for the occurrence of subjective contours, when induction fields and background are of unequal colour. These thresholds are strongly dependent upon the size of the colour difference between the two fields. With increasing difference in colour between induction fields and background, the luminance-difference thresholds necessary to just obtain the subjective contour-effect increase. Various explanations are discussed. Chromatic aberration is not likely to be the main cause for this colour effect, although it has some detrimental influence. At the level of colour-coding mechanisms, lateral interactions between cones or Pi-mechanisms of the same type and interactions between opponent colour codes of the same type are considered. Finally, attention is given to possible psychological factors.
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de Weert, C.M.M. The role of colours in the formation of subjective contours. Psychol. Res 45, 117–134 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308664
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308664