Color-Name as a Function of Wave-Length

This study is concerned with the way in which color-names vary with wavelength at each of two levels of luminance. Instructions restrict responses to the basic names ususally considered as applying to the spectrum -red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet-a six-category system for which Graham has provided a set of hypothetical curves.1 One and the same set of determinations provides the basic color-name for a given wavelength (RA), the judgment-time for this response (Rj), and, after the response in terms of the restricted set of categories, a qualifying response (RB). The qualifying response is given after the exposure is terminated; it is optional and unrestricted, intended to permit 'better description' of the chromatic flux than is possible with the six categories. Although little studied by psychologists, color-naming has been examined by anthropologists, such as Rivers2 and, more recently, Ray,3 in comparative linguistics,4 and in studies of communication.5 None of these studies has, however, revealed anything about the relation of the basic color-names to wavelength, data that are needed to provide a standard reference in the study of visual perception. In addition to establishing these color-naming functions, it will be of considerable interest to examine the relation of such variables as judgment-time and frequency of other names to the basic functions and, specifically, whether a relationship can be demonstrated between judgment-time and the use of qualifying terms. On the basis of existing data from other perceptual functions, these two measures may be expected to show a positive relationship, rising