Question

After staring at a green image for a while, you suddenly look at a white wall and see a brief flash of red. This phenomenon is best explained by which theory?

Trichromatic Theory
Opponent-Process Theory
Binocular Theory
Place Theory

Answer 1

The phenomenon you're describing—seeing a brief flash of red after staring at a green image—is best explained by the **Opponent-Process Theory**. This theory posits that color perception is controlled by opposing pairs of colors (green-red, blue-yellow, black-white). When you stare at a green image, the green receptors in your eyes become fatigued. When you then look at a white wall, the lack of green stimulation results in a temporary perception of the opposing color (red) due to the way our visual system processes color contrasts.