#LaRobeEst Now a subject of scientific studies – L’Express

After burning social networks in February, the famous picture of a dress that users saw was blue and black, white and gold is now fascinates scientists. No fewer than three studies published this month in the journal Current Biology decrypt the reasons for this differentiated view.

Researchers link several elements to consider: the type of light to which we are usually exposed, age, or the way we interpret the color blue, specifies the Los Angeles Times . “Although low quality, this photo is an amazing tool for neuroscientists working on the vision” says Bevil Conway, professor and author of one of these studies. Who would have thought?

Over 50% of people see the right colors

Let us first recall the essentials: the dress is blue and black, as confirmed The apparel retailer. It is also seen that more than half the people brought face to his famous photograph, in Current Biology . About 1,401 people, 57% of them see the blue and black dress, white and gold 30%, and 13% still see otherwise. Why?

Natural light against artificial light

Conducted by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the study that produced these figures says the dress is seen differently according to age and gender. For example, details the website Medical News Today, women and older people more often see the white and gold dress, while young people often see it black and blue.

These differences could be explained by the time spent in natural daylight and under artificial light. Thus, pesonnes that put more foot outside would most often white and gold dress. This shows that the type of light we are accustomed to receive change our perception of color.

A blue facetious

According to Michael Webster, author of one of the studies and works at the University of Nevada, some people saw white in the blue stripes of the dress because the color blue is associated with shadows. Thus, it may not be blue color of the object, but a hue created, for example, by the presence of an object or person near the gown to mask the light sources.

By replacing the blue with yellow, researchers have managed to put their participants agree on the color of the stripes. Michael Webster, this is explained by the fact that one attributes the more yellow to the object you look, rather than a shadow or lighting.

The third study shows that the two most common perceptions about the coat color are not sufficient. Indeed, instead of white or blue, participants indicated see various shades of blue, lighter or darker, says Medical News Today. An analysis that should not be the last. According to the Los Angeles Times , an entire issue of a journal specializing in the vision could be dedicated to dress in 2016.