PSYC 4318 SU 19 DR.

KIRBY Test 2

Colorless Blindness Commented [LK1]: Need to double-space the whole

essay includding the references.
In psychology, there have been three basic theories on how we see and explain color

vision. The trichromatic (Young-Helmholtz) theory is “[perceiving] color through the relative

rates of response by three types of cones, each one maximally sensitive to a different set of

wavelengths” perceiving color through the use of three types of cones that each perceive

different wavelengths of light (Kalat, 2019)., or that Eeyes are sensitive to three wavelengths of Commented [LK2]: Never use direct quotes in papers for
my classes. Always paraphrase.
color, and every other colors are is either imaginary or a mixture of the three. The opponent-

process theory is that color is seen through opposites“[perceiving] color in terms of opposites”

(Kalat, 2019)., or that mMixtures of colors in the opponent-process theory are seen through the

activating or deactivating of specific cones as afterimages. The retinex theory is based on the

idea that the mind uses context about brightness and color to determine what is perceived“the

cortex [comparing] information from various parts of the retina to determine the brightness and

color for each area” (Kalat, 2019)., In this theory,or that our minds take evidence from the

environment to help perceive things like shades of color, shadows, or depth. These theories have

been used in conjunction with each other to explain why we perceive the things we do.

Of these theories, the retinex theory is the best way to describe the phenomena that we

describe as color. Grossberg & Mingolla’s (1985) research looks at the results of several illusion

studies, most notably an illusion which gave the subjects a false sense of a boundary being

present. Retinex TheoryIt is the only theory that can explain the boundary-feature trade off“the

boundary-feature trade-off… in a way that is quite different from any possible local

computational theory” (Grossberg & Mingolla, 1985). The boundary-feature trade off is how the

brain uses “activity patterns” to create and interpret the world around it, and best explains
PSYC 4318 SU 19 DR. KIRBY Test 2

illusions as a misinterpretation and “compensation” of these patterns (Grossberg & Mingolla, Commented [LK3]: Need to describe the methods and
results of a study., This is more of a definition or description
with a citation on the end. Repeat this process for the next
1985).
article as well.

Other researches, such as Hurvich and Jameson (1957), believe that the opponent-process

theory can explain illusions as the brain trying to control its response systems“exercising a

controlling influence on the response systems” on itself. Their research focuses on the way that

subjects respond to various mixtures and hues of light presented to them. Instead of the

compensation that Grossberg and Mingolla suggest, Hurvich and Jameson believe that the

illusions we see are a sort of attempt of the brain to reorganize and adapt to the colors it is seeing

instead of taking context around it.

If this is true, there should be no reason that the brain should see the same color as

brighter or darker depending on its position when drawn. The idea of the mind using the context

around it to infer (sometimes incorrectly) about the brightness or darkness of a color based on

patterns it has experienced with colors in shadow and applies it to the flat drawing. Only the

retinex theory can explain this experience.

PSYC 4318 SU 19 DR. KIRBY
Works CitedReferences
Grossberg S, Mingolla E. Neural dynamics of form perception: Boundary completion, illusory
figures, and neon color spreading. Psychological Review. 1985;92(2):173-211.
doi:10.1037/0033-295X.92.2.173.
Hurvich, L. M., & Jameson, D. (1957). An opponent-process theory of color
vision. Psychological Review, 64(6, Pt.1), 384–404. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.uttyler.edu/10.1037/h0041403
Kalat, J. W. (2019) Biological Psychology. Boston, MA, USA: Cengage.
Kalat, J. (2019). Biological psychology (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. ISBN: 978-
1337408202.
Test 2
Commented [LK4]: That's not what this page should be
called in APA. Check examples.
Commented [LK5]: All hanging indents are too far to the
left. Go into paragraph settings and make sure they start at
0, not -0.5".
Commented [LK6]: These are in Chicago or something,
not APA at all. Check examples. Copy and paste the APA
reference from Google scholar or Swoop Search or
Ebscohost databases and then fix it from there (because
those are not always accurate).
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman
Commented [LK7]: Copy exactly from syllabus (every
detail).
PSYC 4318 SU 19 DR. KIRBY Test 2

Essay: + 2/4
Essay Rubric

Criterion Full credit Full credit (1) Half credit (0.5) No credit
possible for
section
Understanding 1 Accurately Accurately Demonstrates
summarizes the summarizes part fundamental
study methods of the study, but misunderstandin
and results leaves out g of the material,
important such as basing
aspects (such as an argument
part of the around key
procedure or the words in the title
actual results) - instead of study
Mentions procedures,
studies but does AND/OR fails to
not describe summarize the
methods. 0.25 study itself (e.g.,
only a fact with
a citation at the
end surrounded
by entirely
opinionated
writing)
Analysis 1 Makes a Fails to connect Fails to write
thoughtful the article to the about a
connection to the textbook or the connection
outside world outside world in between the
a reasonable way article and the
– Leaves out textbook chapter
applications. (e.g., no
What do we do individual vs
with this theory universal, or no
now that we identification of
know the right cognitive
one? How does dependent
it guide some measure), and
treatment or fails to make a
educational connection
outcome or outside the
anything? research
laboratory
(application
Evaluation 1 Makes logical Includes a Fails to make a
conclusions conclusion, but conclusion about
PSYC 4318 SU 19 DR. KIRBY Test 2

firmly based in not firmly what the study

evidence situated in the results mean
evidence
provided
Formatting 1 Negligible or no APA style needs Makes no
APA style errors some work: apparent attempt
in citations, APA citations to adhere to
references, or and references APA style (e.g.,
other attempted, but all references are
with some errors in Chicago or
MLA, or no
citations are
present) - 0.25
Good citations,
but references
need a lot of
work.