This study investigated the interaction between cognitive lateral functions and pictorial recognition memory for pictures presented in three different color modes. The stimulus materials used were slides selected from a pool of travel and general geographic scenery slides taken in various parts of North America. One third of the slides were retained in the original realistic color format, a second group was produced in nonrealistic color by means of photographic reversal, and a third was recopied onto black and white slides. The original slides were randomly assigned to be copied in such a manner that a total of 60 split-slides were produced. The split-slides allowed for simultaneous projection of two scenes with one in the left visual field and one in the right visual field. Subjects were 30 right-handed male students from a Pennsylvania community college. The list learning procedure was used to present the stimulus materials. Following the treatment presentation, subjects were presented a random distribution of all individual images (stimulus and distractor) and asked to indicate whether they had seen the image before. The findings of the study indicate that both realistic color and black and white processing are more functions of the left than the right hemisphere, while nonrealistic color processing appears to be more a function of the right than the left hemisphere. It is concluded that nonrealistic color in visuals is primarily a cuing device, while realistic color and black and white visuals have both visual and verbal components and may require higher levels of processing. It is suggested that as the components of visuals increase in complexity, lateral function become less specialized and more unified. (1 table, 3 figures, and 28 references) (BBM)