Auditory profile analysis: Frequency, phase, and Weber’s Law

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Abstract
Three separate experiments were reported on different aspects of performance in auditory profile analysis. The 1st experiment deals with the effects of the frequency and position of an increment in a single component of a multitonal complex. The general results indicate that detection of the signal is easier for components in the mid-frequency range (around 1000 Hz) independent of signal position with the complex. The 2nd experiment investigats the effects of relative phase of the individual components of the complex. Regardless of the number of components, phase has very little effect, even when different phases are selected for each presentation. The 3rd experiment compares the detection of an increment in intensity of a single component, the traditional Weber fraction experiment, and conditions where additional components are present, a profile experiment. The detection of the increment is measured as a function of the level of the standard. The single-tone condition shows the usual near miss to Weber''s law whereas the multitone condition does not. In addition, threshold for the increment is better for the multitone condition than for the single tone condition for levels of the standard up to 70 dB SPL [sound pressure level]. This last result is investigated for 10 observers, 5 of whom were experienced in profile tasks and 5 of whom were not. Using a low level standard, the 5 experienced observers replicate the results described above. Theinexperienced observers show the opposite result. On average, they are better able to detect the increment in the single-component condition.

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