On the Number of Absolutely-Identifiable Spectral Hues.
Abstract
A normal observer can discriminate well over a million different colors under ideal, laboratory conditions of observation. How many colors can be identify when he sees colors singly and is required to identify them with nearly 100 per cent accuracy. The experiments reported here are an attempt to estimate the number of such absolutely-identifiable spectral hues. Observers were tested in a schedule which included familiarization, practice and test runs with four different series of spectral hues. In every case, the test colors were presented singly against a neutral gray background, and the observers were required to identify each according to a simple numerical code. Four series of spectral hues, containing 17, 15, 12 and 10 wavelengths, were used. The results suggest that the average observer can identify no more than 12 spectral hues under these conditions of observation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 1951
- Accession Number
- AD0764029
Entities
People
- A. Chapanis
- Rita M. Halsey
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University