Intensity perception. VIII. Loudness comparisons between different types of stimuli

Abstract

A preliminary theory of intensity resolution was extended to include loudness comparisons among different types of stimuli. The extended theory related mean loudness matches to discrimination and provided a framework for the interpretation of results on the intrasubject [human] variability of loudness comparisons. The predicted relation between mean loudness matches and discrimination was essentially the same as that proposed by Riesz. With regard to the variability of loudness comparisons the extended model was essentially the same as the preliminary model except that a new term was included in the trace-mode memory variance to account for the dissimilarity of the stimuli being compared. The model was compared to some data on loudness matching and discrimination and to some new data on the variability of loudness comparisons obtained in a 2-interval, roving-level, loudness-discrimination experiment.