ABSENCE OF COLOR VISION IN CAT

Abstract

This experiment was designed to assess the color vision of cats. The test situation was arranged so that discrimination of spectral composition would be facilitated, but with controls for odor, position, and luminance cues. In 1000 trials the cats were unable to distinguish between red and green; in a subsequent 1000 trials they failed to discriminate between green and blue. A brightness discrimination was formed under the same conditions within 200 trials. It is concluded that cats are completely color-blind. This finding is consistent with the dominator-modulator theory, but not with the laminar theory in its present form. It does not support the inference that potentiation of electrocortical responses to geniculate stimulation indicates the presence of a trichromatic mechanism in this species.