Cite as:
Karitans V, Ozolinsh M, 2007, "Perception of saturation of colours and dominant wavelength discrimination in central and peripheral retina" Perception 36 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Perception of saturation of colours and dominant wavelength discrimination in central and peripheral retina

V Karitans, M Ozolinsh

Perception of colour saturation in central and peripheral retina was studied by two kinds of psychophysical methods. The method of constant stimuli, in which pairs of stimuli with different saturation are presented, was used. Shift of the saturation perception equality was found: peripheral stimuli were perceived to be less saturated than the central one when the observer was not adapted before answer was given. In a step-by-step method, the observer was asked to find equilibrium by adjusting saturation of the peripheral stimulus. Hysteresis of the shift of the perception of saturation equality was observed: the shift depended on whether the initial saturation of the peripheral stimuli was maximal or zero. Results can be explained in terms of saturation adaptation. After adaptation to saturated stimulus, sensitivity to saturation of the eye is reduced. After adaptation to unsaturated stimulus, the sensitivity is increased. The method of constant stimuli with adaptation phase was also used. There was strong time dependence of the shift of the saturation perception. In a step-by-step method, the observer was asked to find equilibrium by adjusting saturation of the peripheral stimulus. The two methods were compared by keeping saturation of peripheral stimulus constant but varying the saturation of the central stimulus. This shows that adaptation occurs at retinal level.

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