Mechanisms of human color constancy underpinning stable visual perception

Abstract

When we refer to “a green car,” it might sound as if that the color is an inherent characteristic of the object. However, color is a sensation produced by our visual system based on the light reflected from an object. Changes in scene illuminant alter the reflected light, so the color of the object should change as well. Yet, why does a green car parked in the morning still appear green when we return to it at dusk? This is due to color constancy, a phenomenon that maintains stable color perception despite changes in surrounding lighting environments. How does our visual system create a robust visual world from highly variable sensory signals? This article explains the mechanisms supporting human color constancy.