Final answer:
Perceptual constancies allow us to perceive objects as having constant attributes despite environmental changes. Color constancy, a type of perceptual constancy, enables the consistent perception of an object's color across different light sources, a concept explained by the retinex theory of color vision.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perceptual constancies refer to our ability to see objects as having constant shape, size, and color, regardless of changes in angle, distance, or lighting. Color constancy is a particular type of perceptual constancy that enables us to perceive the true color of objects under varying lighting conditions. This phenomenon is explained by the retinex theory of color vision, which suggests that our eye-brain system has three retinexes associated with the three types of cones in our eyes. These retinexes compare the information received to discern sophisticated visual details.
The theories supporting color constancy consider a large amount of anatomical evidence and perceptual studies, highlighting that signal processing occurs in the eye before information is relayed to the brain. For instance, the eye is very sensitive to edges and makes comparisons between adjacent light receptors, which allows it to maintain a sense of true color even when lighting conditions change. An example of color constancy in action is the way we perceive a white tablecloth as white whether it's under sunlight, fluorescent light, or candlelight.