Abstract
In previous research on perceived auditory distance, simple verbal reports have often been used, because alternative measurement procedures were limited. This research has explored the question of whether Gogel’s “indirect” methods (for measuring visually perceived distance) could also measure auditory distance. Observers described the apparent horizontal alignment of two sound sources, presented either with the head stationary or before and after a lateral head movement. Room reverberation was manipulated in an effort to generate the sorts of errors in perceived distance that were necessary to test the predictions. Although consistent underperception occurred effectively when reverberation was low, the corresponding condition of overperception was not produced by the use of a highly reflective room. Nevertheless, taken as a whole, the present data were consistent with those predicted from Gogel’s analysis of the consequences of errors in perceived distance. The development of an indirect measure of auditory distance appears feasible.
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References
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Mershon, D.H., Hutson, W.E. Toward the indirect measurement of perceived auditory distance. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 29, 109–112 (1991). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335208
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335208