Taste intensity and the case of exponents greater than 1

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Abstract
The magnitude estimation of taste intensity has often produced exponents greater than 1, suggesting that the perceived intensity of some taste stimuli increases at a faster rate than does stimulus concentration, i.e., the psychophysical functions are positively accelerating. However, a reanalysis of published data reveals that when these magnitude scales are replotted in linear coordinates, instead of the conventional log‐log form, there is often no evidence of positive acceleration and the numerical value of the exponent bears no reliable relationship to the shape of its psychophysical function. Reasons for this finding are discussed and the implications for taste research are noted.

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