Theories of Color

Theories of color explain how we perceive and organize colors. The most common is the trichromatic theory, which states that our eyes have three types of color receptors (cones) sensitive to red, green, and blue light. Our brain combines signals from these cones to see a full spectrum of colors. Another is the opponent-process theory, which suggests that we perceive colors through pairs: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white, activating one color while inhibiting the other. Together, these theories help us understand how colors are created, perceived, and how they interact in our visual experience.