Do We All See Colors Differently? 

This piece, by Onno Berkan, was published on 10/15/24. The original text, by Jenny M. Bosten, was published by Annual Review of Vision Science in September, 2022.

Do different people see the same colors differently? Do you see what I see? A recent article out of the University of Sussex provides a comprehensive review of individual differences in human color perception and their implications for color science research. The author argues that while often overlooked, these differences offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of color vision and should be more thoroughly explored.

The review covers various factors contributing to perceptual diversity, including genetic variations, particularly in genes encoding medium (M) and long (L) wavelength-sensitive opsins. Physiological differences, such as prereceptoral filtering by the lens and macular pigment, also play a role in shaping individual color perception. Environmental factors, including seasonal variations and geographical locations, are discussed as potential influences on color vision development and performance.

The article explores individual differences across various aspects of color perception, including color matching, discrimination, and appearance. Notably, large individual variations have been observed in unique hue settings, with 27-60% of this variability being stable across sessions. However, attempts to correlate these differences with variations in cone sensitivity functions or prereceptoral filtering have largely been unsuccessful.

Age-related changes in color discrimination thresholds are also discussed, with performance improving into young adulthood and then declining with age. The author notes that individual differences in color naming within a language can be as substantial as differences between languages, potentially reflecting both biological and cultural influences.

The review highlights the potential of using individual differences as a methodological tool to probe the mechanisms of color perception. For example, factor analysis of individual differences in hue-scaling data has revealed multiple underlying cortical color channels.

Despite some well-characterized aspects, the article emphasizes that our current understanding of individual differences in color vision remains incomplete. The author argues that greater attention to individual variation could enhance progress in color science and calls for more research in this area.

The article also discusses the implications of these findings for applications in imaging, lighting, and color reproduction. Overall, this review underscores the importance of studying individual differences in color perception as a means to gain deeper insights into the diversity and mechanisms of human color vision.

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