Discounting the background—the missing link in the explanation of chromatic induction

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Abstract

Using a cancellation technique (maintaining a pure yellow hue) chromatic induction was measured in the configuration of a 30′–90′ annular test field fully surrounded by a 7° red inducing field. Analysis of these data revealed the hitherto unrecognized fact that the part of the light that the test stimulus has in common with the surround does not contribute to its perceived hue. In addition to this, in essence, subtractive effect of the inducing field it was found that the latter also causes a (colour-selective) change of gain, consistent with the much disputed von Kries coefficient law. The often reported invalidity of the latter should be attributed to the fact that in the past no allowance has been made for the aforementioned differencing mechanism.

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