On the relationship between strength of simultaneous color contrast and global/local perceptual styles

Year: 2025

Authors: Magnolfi C., Giorgetti A., Tommasi F., Farini A., Gurioli M., Grasso P.A.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Firenze, Dipartimento Fis & Astron, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; CNR, Ist Nazl Ottica, I-50125 Florence, Firenze, Italy.

Abstract: Color perception is closely tied to our global approach to vision. A striking example of this is the phenomenon of simultaneous color contrast, in which an otherwise achromatic target is perceived as chromatic due to color induction from the background in which it is embedded. In this study, we investigated whether individual variability in the prioritization of local versus global information within a visual scene might relate to individual differences in the strength of simultaneous color contrast. To this end, the strength of simultaneous color contrast was quantified using a behavioral test developed in our laboratory (the Train Test), while local versus global perceptual styles were assessed using the Navon Test. Our results revealed considerable interindividual variability in the strength of chromatic induction, ranging from achromatic to vivid color perception. However, no significant correlation was observed between the strength of simultaneous color contrast and perceptual styles. Statistical analyses further showed no significant differences in saturation values between participants classified as global or local in their perceptual styles. These findings suggest that perceptual styles, as defined in our study, do not significantly influence the strength of simultaneous color contrast. Future research may benefit from employing more fine-grained methodologies to explore whether these results hold under alternative experimental conditions or with more precise measures of perceptual variability.

Journal/Review: Nuovo Cimento C-Colloquia and Communications in Physics

Volume: 48 (5)      Pages from: 266-1  to: 266-6

More Information: The study was conducted with the contribution of the researcher Paolo Antonino Grasso with a research contract co-funded by the European Union – PON Research and Innovation 2014-2020 in accordance with Article 24, paragraph 3a, of Law No. 240 of 30 December 2010, as amended, and Ministerial Decree No. 1062 of 10 August 2021.
KeyWords: Precedence
DOI: 10.1393/ncc/i2025-25266-y