AP Psychology Practice Test

How does the opponent-process theory explain the perception of color?

1. Through a combination of different wavelengths hitting the retina.

2. By the way the brain interprets signals from the eyes.

3. By opposing retinal processes like red-green, yellow-blue.

4. Through the frequency of light waves interpreted by the brain.

The correct answer is: By opposing retinal processes like red-green, yellow-blue.

Opponent-process theory explains the perception of color by proposing that color vision is controlled by opposing pairs of colors. This theory suggests that there are specific channels in the visual system that respond to pairs of colors in which one member of the pair inhibits the other. For example, when one looks at something red, the red receptors are stimulated, while the opposing green receptors are inhibited. This mechanism helps explain why after staring at a red object and then looking away, one might see a green afterimage. The theory effectively accounts for the way humans naturally categorize colors into oppositional pairs, such as red-green and yellow-blue, explaining why certain color combinations cannot be perceived simultaneously. For instance, one cannot see a reddish-green; the activation of one color channel suppresses the other. This organization of color perception in contrasting pairs allows for a more refined and complex understanding of visual stimuli. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the principles inherent to opponent-process theory. The first option focuses on the physical aspects of light wavelengths, while the second highlights brain interpretation without addressing the opposing nature of color perception. The last choice deals with frequency of light waves, which doesn't connect with the inhibitory processes behind color perception that the opponent-process theory emphasizes.