No abstract

We compared changes in the appearance of a test region caused by introducing an inhomogeneous chromatic background to changes caused by a space-averaged equivalent uniform background. Subjects adjusted a test field presented on a CRT so that it appeared neither reddish nor greenish. Sparse "white" or "green" dots, randomly scattered throughout a "red" background field, caused a large decrease (up to 15 nm) in the dominant wavelength of the red/green equilibrium setting, compared to measurements with a uniform "red" background. A uniform background with the same space-averaged chromaticity and luminance as the complex background had an effect similar to the uniform "red" background. These results contradict theories of color constancy that rely on the "gray world" assumption, and indicate the significance for color perception of individual chromaticities within discrete, noncontiguous regions.

We measured simulated driving performance for 26 participants who drove a fixed distance while continuously eating a cheeseburger, operating an automobile CD player, reading directions, or using a voice-activated dialing system to place calls on a mobile phone. Performance was also measured while participants drove without doing other tasks. Participants made the most lane-keeping errors, minimum speed violations, and glances away from the road while reading and while operating the CD player. They made significantly fewer driving errors and glances while voice-dialing the mobile phone or eating, although in both of these conditions they made more driving errors and glances than they did when driving without doing any other activity. We conclude that for simulated driving, placing calls using a voice-activated dialing system is as distracting as eating a cheeseburger, but both of these activities are less distracting than continuously operating a CD player or reading directions.

No abstract

No abstract