Abstract
A multiple choice experiment with free flying bees trained to a color signal is described which allows for multidimensional scaling of color similarity. The choice proportions are analysed by metric (Torgerson 1958) and non-metric (Kruskal 1964a, b) multidimensional scaling. The light reflected from the twelve color signals used differed in spectral composition, intensity, and the proportion of white light. Only two scales are necessary to reconstruct the experimental data. The interpretation of the scale values by Helmholtz-coordinates, derived from the chromaticity diagram for bees, shows that the main perceptual parameters are hue and saturation (or blue/greenness and UV/blue-greenness, respectively). Brightness is ignored by the bees in this choice situation. The total color difference is related to the differences on the two perceptual parameters by the city-block metric (Minkowski exponentp=1).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahrens HJ (1974) Multidimensionale Skalierung. Methodik, Theorie und empirische Gültigkeit mit Anwendungen aus der differentiellen Psychologie und Sozialpsychologie. Beltz, Weinheim
Backhaus W, Menzel R (1984) Multidimensional scaling of the colour space of honeybees. Verh Dtsch Zool Ges 77:230
Backhaus W, Menzel R (1987) Color distance derived from a receptor model of color vision in the honeybee. Biol Cybern 55:321–331
Daumer K (1956) Reizmetrische Untersuchung des Farbensehens der Bienen. Z Vergl Physiol 38:413–478
Davison ML (1983) Multidimensional scaling. Wiley, New York
Frisch K v (1914) Der Farbensinn und Formensinn der Bienen. Zool Jb Abt Allg Zool Physiol 35:1
Guilford JP (1937) Scale values derived from the method of choices. Psychometrika 2:139–150
Helm CE (1964) Multidimensional ratio scaling analysis of perceived color relations. J Opt Soc Am 54:256–262
Helversen O v (1972) Zur spektralen Unterschiedsempfindlichkeit der Honigbiene. J Comp Physiol 80:439–472
Hotelling H (1933) Analysis of a complex of statistical variables into principale components. J Educ Psychol 24:417–441, 498–520
Indow T, Ohsumi K (1972) Multidimensional mapping of sixty Munsell colors by nonmetric procedure. In: Vos JJ, et al. (eds) Color metrics. AIC, Holland
Krantz DH (1967) Rational distance functions for multidimensional scaling. J Math Psychol 4:226–245
Kruskal JB (1964a) Multidimensional scaling by optimizing goodness of fit to a nonmetric hypothesis. Psychometrika 29:1–29
Kruskal JB (1964b) Nonmetric multidimensional scaling: A numerical method. Psychometrika 29:115–131
Kruskal JB, Wish M (1978) Multidimensional scaling. Sage, Beverly Hills, CA
Labhart T (1974) Behavioral analysis of light intensity discrimination and spectral sensitivity in the honey bee,Apis mellifera. J Comp Physiol 95:203–216
Lieke E (1987) Honeybees have a perceptual dimension of color saturation. J Comp Physiol (in press)
Menzel R (1967) Untersuchungen zum Erlernen von Spektralfarben durch die Honigbiene (Apis mellifica). Z Vergl Physiol 56:22–62
Menzel R, Greggers U (1985) Natural phototaxis and its relationship to colour vision in honeybees. J Comp Physiol 157:311–321
Menzel R, Lieke E (1983) Antagonistic color effects in spatial vision of honeybees. J Comp Physiol 141:389–393
Nash JC (1979) Compact numerical methods for computers. Hilger, Bristol
Messick SJ, Abelson RP (1956) The additive constant problem in multidimensional scaling. Psychometrika 21:1–17
Sixtl F (1982) Meßmethoden der Psychologie. Theoretische Grundlagen und Probleme. 2. Edn. Beltz, Weinheim
Thurstone LL (1927) A law of comparative judgment. Psychol Rev 34:273–286
Torgerson WS (1951) A theoretical and empirical investigation of multidimensional scaling. Ph.D. Thesis, Princeton University
Torgerson WS (1958) Theory and methods of scaling. Wiley, New York
Überla K (1982) Faktorenanalyse. Eine systematische Einführung für Psychologen, Mediziner, Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftler. 2. Edn. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Werner A, Menzel R (1984) Color discrimination and receptor color space in honeybees. Verh Dtsch Zool Ges 77:229
Zielinski R (1978) Erzeugung von Zufallszahlen. Program-mierung und Test auf Digitalrechnern. Deutsch, Frankfur/Main
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Backhaus, W., Menzel, R. & Kreißl, S. Multidimensional scaling of color similarity in bees. Biol. Cybernetics 56, 293–304 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319510
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319510