Pure-Tone Intensity Discrimination and Energy Detection

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Abstract
A study of 1000‐Hz intensity discrimination is reported in which single tones were identified as the louder or softer of two alternatives differing slightly in energy. Tones were phase locked and fixed in duration (150 msec). Feedback was given following each judgment. Psychometric functions are presented and a masking curve is computed. The masking curve is found to be linear above 25‐dB sensation level, and the slope is computed as 15/16. These results are interpreted as reflecting a form of energy discrimination similar to that proposed in noise masking.