Final answer:
The opponent-process theory of color vision explains why staring at one color for an extended period results in a negative afterimage in the opposite color upon looking away. It functions alongside the trichromatic theory and is supported by phenomena such as afterimages and color constancy, as explained by Edwin Land's retinex theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory being referred to is the opponent-process theory of color vision. This theory posits that color perception depends on the opposing responses of three receptor complexes: black-white, yellow-blue, and red-green. The theory also explains the phenomenon of negative afterimages. For instance, when you stare at a green dot for a long time and then look away at a blank white screen, you may see a red dot. This happens because the green-responsive cells in your retina become fatigued, causing the red-responsive cells to become more active, resulting in a red negative afterimage.
Moreover, the opponent-process theory works in conjunction with the trichromatic theory, which operates at the level of the retina where cones respond to red, green, and blue light. Beyond the retina, visual processing adheres to the opponent-process theory. Advances in the understanding of color vision include Edwin Land's retinex theory, which suggests the brain compares information from the three types of cones to perceive color, enabling color constancy under different lighting conditions.