Age-related features of categorical perception of focal and non-focal colors in the central and peripheral visual fields

Abstract

The article examines the categorical color perception in different regions of the visual field for focal and non-focal colors. Central visual fields are known to be primarily involved in identification and categorization of objects, whereas peripheral visual fields are responsible for detection and spatial localization of visual information. This study focused on age-related patterns of categorical color perception. Visual search paradigm was applied in order to compare categorical effects among three age groups: primary and senior school, adults. Specifically, the subjects were presented with stimuli at various distances from the central line of sight (5, 15 and 25 °) in the yellow-green color range. Results of the study confirmed the categorical effect – between-category discrimination of color stimuli is carried out faster and more accurate compared to than within-category. However, this effect manifests differentially. In primary schoolers these effects were more global and less differentiated: they were present both in central and peripheral vision, for both focal and non-focal colors. Senior schoolers and adults demonstrated similar patterns of categorical color perception, specifically within central visual field with non-focal colors. Color categories are concluded to have a complex hierarchical structure, which takes a long time to develop. Also, categorical color perception relies on the processes of object identification, which in turn completely develop by the senior school age.