Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test

100 Hue Test

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Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test

David Oguns

January 21, 2007

Rochester Institute of Technology

ABSTRACT:

The Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test is a test that measures the ability to discriminate hues. An experiment was conducted using this test under different lighting conditions. Lighting conditions are known to affect the ability to make color discrimination due to the nature of visual systems and color perception, and the results of the experiment supported this. It is important to understand what lighting conditions are optimal for color discrimination for many tasks that people may perform in their everyday lives or at work.

Running head: 100 HUE TEST

Introduction:

Many jobs indirectly require employees have competent color vision to complete their tasks or to complete them more efficiently. There are various color tasks which are all affected differently depending by different color anomalies. Comparative color tasks pose a problem if an employee has abnormal color vision in any form because all color vision anomalies result in handicapped color discrimination(Cole, 2004). The 100 Hue Test is a very simple way to establish if there are any problems with the color vision of an individual. It is also able to indicate what type of color deficiency a person may have (FM 100 Hue Test) if they have one.

The purpose of this experiment was to measure color vision discrimination in different lighting conditions. Based on the research done by Cole (2004, p. 263), signal illuminance affects the detection of colored signals even in a person with normal color vision. It is expected that the results of the Farnsworth-Muller 100 Hue Test will be different under different lighting conditions.

Methods:

This experiment was conducted by running two trials of the Farnsworth-Muller 100 Hue Test with one participant. One trial was performed under fluorescent SylvaniaOCT 4100 bulbs and the other trial was conducted using a GE Reveal 60 Watt incandescence bulb. For each trial, the participant had to arrange 4 sets of color pigments in order based on how close they were to the fixed colors on the ends of the box. At the end of each color set, the results were recorded, noting any discrepancies from the actual order of the colors and a score was given based on the difference between the position the color was placed, and those adjacent to it.

Results:

The results of the two trials showed a significant variance in color discrimination level. Under the fluorescent light, the participant received a score of 6 which indicates superior color discrimination ability. Under the GE Reveal 60 Watt bulb, the results were much worse and the participant received a score of 62 which indicates average color discrimination ability. The exact scores for each setare attached on the scoring sheets for each trial.

Discussion:

Based on the results, there were significant differences between the two trials which seem to indicate that the lighting conditions had an effect on the test. One of the possible reasons for the difference could be that one of the lighting conditions had a tint to it. If there was a tint in the light it would have had an effect on discriminating colors in a specific part of the visual spectrum. The results for the second trial,using the GE Reveal 60 Watt bulb, supports that explanation because a vast majority of the errors werein the color set labeled 22-42 in trial two, and in trial one there was only a single two cap transposition. Another possibility could be that the box set used for the second trial was contaminated and the colors were no longer accurate for the test. There were two box sets present with the color labels 22-42 and they were not controlled variables in this experiment which would explain why it would possibly affect one trial but not the other.

If the reason behind the results of this experiment were due to lighting then theoretically, there would be a best possible lighting condition to conduct the experiment in. Such a lighting condition would have to not have any hue present in it. Even if a bulb is pure white and absent of any hue, the lighting conditions may not be ideal because the hues on the walls, ceiling, or floor will affect the ambient lighting in the room. In order to prevent this, the test would have to be conducted in a white room so that the ambient light could be rid of color. The problem with that lighting situation is that it is not easily attainable and would make conducting the 100 Hue Test more complicated. It turns out there is a certain type of light which is optimal for color discrimination and color matching. An OTT-Lite is a light which provides the right amount of light so the eye is focused in its most comfortable position. It also provides the right quality of light for the eye to see clearly. Basically, the eye doesn’t have to strain itself to make color matches and the100 Hue Test takes less effort with ideal lighting conditions.

The results of this test show that different lighting conditions affect the perception of color significantly. In rooms with low watt bulbs the light appears to have a tint of yellow which would make it difficult to distinguish between colors in this area of the spectrum and more likely to make an incorrect matches between colors influenced by it. Understanding how lighting conditions affect color vision is relevant to people who frequently work late at night on art and design work and may prefer low lighting conditions. It is important to realize that the appearance of the work isn’t accurate in those lighting conditions and it shouldn’t be produced in them.

REFREFRENCES

Cole, Barry L., (2004). The handicap of abnormal color vision, Clinical and Experimental

Optometry, 87.4-5, 258-275.

The Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test for the examination of Color Discrimination, M&P

Workshop #21. (Handout in class)

(2007) The Story of Ott-Lite Technology, Ott-Lite Technology. Retrieved January 22, 2007.