Effect pf stimulus duration on the perception of red-green and yellow-blue mixtures

Abstract

The study investigated the perception of the four basic colors: red, yellow, green, and blue, as a function of the duration of the flash of light for both direct and off-center viewing. The aim was to determine what changes in color perception occur as the duration is decreased and what color confusions are the most common. The exposure was varied from .3 sec. to .02 sec. It was found that sensitivity to red and green remained rather unaffected by the decrease in exposure time when the lights were viewed directly, but declined if viewed off-center. Sensitivity to yellow got worse as the duration decreased, for both conditions of viewing. Sensitivity to yellow got worse as the duration decreased, for both conditions of viewing. Sensitivity to blue decreased with intermediate exposure times and then increased again as the duration of the flash was further shortened. It was also found that at short durations pure green flashes often looked blue, and pure yellow flashes looked red. These results should be considered in the selection of colors to be used for warning lights, flashing signals, navigational aids, or any signal light which will be seen only briefly. Yellow should be avoided; and green and blue should not be used in a display where they must be differentiated.