Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Refers to the ability of our visual system to perceive an object's color accurately and reliably, regardless of changes in lighting conditions. It means that we perceive the same color for an object even if the lighting conditions change.
Related terms
Color constancy: Color constancy is our brain's ability to perceive an object's color as stable, even when the illumination changes.
Retinex theory: The retinex theory explains how our visual system perceives colors by comparing information from different parts of an image to determine consistent colors across various lighting conditions.
Lightness constancy: Lightness constancy refers to our perception of an object's brightness remaining relatively constant despite changes in illumination levels.