The researchers found that the distribution of photoreceptor cells in the eye makes it easier to capture non-negligible color changes in social interactions than to capture other types of color vision. Our color vision is more sensitive than other types of color vision (including those designed for digital cameras and other photographic equipment) when reading "face signals" (such as blushing or other facial color changes). Yes. "This is the co-author of the study," said John Shame, an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at New York University. "Our green and red photoreceptors receive very similar colors. You might think that the most ideal type of color vision Different from our human beings. Colors like digital cameras use different color vision types when designing cognition, but when the color change that needs attention is related to social cues, the color vision type of humans is more scientific and technological. The color vision type of the design is better."
The research results were published in the Royal Society of Biological Sciences. How to deal with visible colors, focusing on the three main color vision studies based on the contrast of red, green and blue.
One of the interesting things about the way our vision system is built is the difference between it and the camera. In particular, the green and red photoreceptors we use to observe colors are very tightly distributed, but on the contrary, the same components inside the camera are distributed in many spaces. .. Its design is to make the camera best for color capture. Many people believe that the ability to detect color beams should be superior to humans and other primates, and I am also interested in why our vision is so interesting.
The in-depth research view is related to foraging. The hypothesis is that the eyesight of primates can detect subtle gradients of green and red. For example, this is useful when the fruit is ripe and contrasts sharply with the green leaves on the tree. Another assumption is that this is related to the fact that humans and primates must be able to recognize subtle changes in facial color during social activities. For example, certain monkey species have red faces and genitals during mating and social activities. Similarly, humans also exhibit facial color changes, which are considered social signs, such as hot flashes. in
In the study, the researchers let 60 subjects watch a series of digital photos of female macaques. The color of the faces of these primates will change according to their reproductive status, and when the ewes are ready to mate, their faces will turn red. This process is recorded as a series of photos. These photos span two species and provide an excellent research model for subsequent color detection and research on the relationship between color and social cues.
Using different photo collections, scientists have discovered that even by adjusting the spacing between the green and red photoreceptors, different types of color blindness or three-color vision types can be found in artificial systems. We have developed software to reproduce colors under color vision. Some subjects saw pictures of monkey face changes in the same way as humans and primates, while others saw these pictures as if they were colorblind. .. During this period, the monkey needs to distinguish the various colors shown in the photo. In general, the subjects using the human/primate visual system when viewing these pictures can more accurately and quickly perceive the color changes of the monkey's face.
Chihiro Hiramatsu, the first author of Kyushu University in Japan, said: "Humans and many other primates have unique color vision, but no one knows why." "We performed one of the first experimental tests here. These experiments It shows that our unique field of vision may be related to detecting social signals on other people’s faces.”
"But perhaps more importantly, the conclusion is that the social signals themselves, such as the need to detect blush or facial color changes, are particularly eye-catching in primates. It supports a relatively rare idea of something with patches. Can play a role in the evolution and maintenance of color perception. Humans, skinless animals (such as rhesus monkeys).” Conclusions by Amanda Marlin, co-author of the University of Calgary.