What theory explains the opposing processes involved in color vision, such as red-green and yellow-blue?

The opponent-process theory is the correct explanation for color vision regarding the opposing processes such as red-green and yellow-blue. This theory posits that our perception of color is controlled by opposing pairs: for instance, stimulation of the red receptors in the eyes will create a sense of red, but if those receptors are inhibited, the sensation of green emerges. Likewise, the blue-yellow pairing functions similarly, where blue activation leads to a perception of blue, and its absence conveys a sense of yellow.

This underlying mechanism describes how colors are processed in the visual system, where the activation of one color inhibits the perception of its opponent. It also helps account for afterimages and color blindness, illustrating the physiological responses of the visual pathways responsible for color discrimination.

In contrast, the trichromatic theory describes color vision through three types of cones in the retina that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, explaining how colors are mixed and perceived based on these three primary colors (red, green, and blue). Gesture theory and color constancy theory focus on different aspects of perception and are not aimed at explaining the opposing processes inherent in color vision.