The color perception of #TheDress

Abstract

Based on known color vision theories, there is no satisfactory explanation for the perceptual dichotomy of the #The- Dress in which most people see either a white-and-gold (WG) dress or a blue-and-black (BK) dress. We employed standard color vision tests (i.e., color naming and matching to #TheDress, anomaloscope matching, unique white settings, and surface color preferences) to study #TheDress. Fifty-two young observers were tested. Observers reported the colors of #TheDress: 15 as BK, 21 as WG, and 16 as a combination of blue and gold. Subjects who perceived #TheDress as WG had significantly higher unique white settings, which means more blue was added to determine unique white. Perceiving #TheDress as WG was also associated with higher preferences for light green and light cyan. Moreland equation matching, which involves blue perception, showed a significant difference between WG and BK observers. For both bright and dark regions of #TheDress, color matching chromaticities followed the daylight chromaticity locus. Color matching to the bright region of #TheDress showed two distinct clusters along the daylight chromaticity locus and there was a clear cutoff for WG vs. BK. #TheDress color perception categories, color preferences, and unique white settings were associated. All tests showing a significant difference between the groups involved blue percepts. Previous studies and ours suggest that variations in attributing “blueness” to the #TheDress image may be the significant variable determining the perception of #TheDress. We propose a developmental hypothesis in that differential exposure to daylight during infancy may influence this variation.