PSYCH 1XX3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8.1-8.2: Color Vision
3 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Module 8. 1 & 8. 2 colour perception (introduction & evolution) Colour adds to the richness of our visual experience, though also has a purpose beyond adding richness to aesthetics. Not all living beings see in colour: many birds, fish, reptiles, and insects have excellent colour vision, among mammals, only primates see in colour. Functions of colour vision: primates -- benefit from colour vision when foraging for food. Particularly well-suited to distinguishing red and yellow against a green background (ie. fruit) Added contrast between objects and their background: birds -- colour is critical for mate selection. Colour of a potential mate"s feathers indicates how healthy that bird is. While a bird may look ordinarily coloured to human eyes, it may look particularly bright to other birds. Bees may be attracted to flowers that appear dull to human eyes because they are responding to specific patterns and colours on the flower that we are unaware of.
