Color vision is the result of complex biological, physiological, and cognitive processes in which gender differences play a significant role. Women demonstrate greater sensitivity to variations in hue, especially in the red–orange part of the spectrum, while men more often show an advantage in perceiving contrast and movement. Genetic mechanisms, including the localization of the genes for red and green pigments on the X chromosome, account for the higher incidence of congenital color blindness in men.
This article aims to analyze gender differences in color perception through a systematic review of Bulgarian and international scientific publications (n = 15, last 10 years) and an educational survey involving 18 respondents (equal numbers of participants by gender). The survey contains questions aimed at self-assessment of color perception, difficulties in distinguishing nuances, and preferences for specific colors. The collected data are processed using descriptive statistical analysis and graphical representation, which allows for the identification of quantitative differences by gender.
In the present study, 67% of women rated their color perception as “very good,” compared to 44% of men. These observations reflect trends in a small sample (n = 18) and correspond to the more widely described gender differences in color perception in the literature, where difficulties in distinguishing red–green hues are more common in men due to the higher frequency of red–green color defects.
The results support the existence of distinct gender differences in color perception, shaped by genetic, physiological, and cognitive mechanisms, and highlight the potential significance of these differences for clinical practice, visual diagnostics, and health education.
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