Preliminary data on frequency discrimination in infancy

Abstract

An operant head-turn technique was used to measure frequency-difference thresholds for 5-8 mo. old [human] infants and for adults. At a standard of 1000 Hz, presented at 70 dB above adult threshold, infant thresholds averaged 21.6 Hz, adult thresholds, 7.4 Hz. In a 2-alternative forced choice procedure, difference thresholds of the same adults approached those reported by Wier et al. (1977).