Opponent-Process Theory

Definition

Opponent-Process Theory is a theory in psychology that suggests that our perception of color is based on three pairs of opponent colors: red versus green, blue versus yellow, and black versus white. According to this theory, when one color is perceived, its opposite color is suppressed.

Related terms

Color Blindness: A condition where an individual has difficulty perceiving certain colors due to a deficiency or absence of specific cone cells in their eyes.

Complementary Colors: Pairs of colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel and create strong contrast when placed together.

Lateral Inhibition: The process by which neighboring photoreceptor cells inhibit each other's responses to visual stimuli, enhancing the contrast between different regions of visual input.