Perceiving distances of nearby sound sources: An investigation of Marler's canonical features of locatable sounds

Journal/Book: Ecol Psychol. 1997; 9: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 299-322.

Abstract: Studies of bird calls have led to the identification of criteria that define canonical locatable and nonlocatable sounds. The generality of these criteria were investigated in 4 experiments in which human participants judged the distances of nearby sound sources in cluttered surroundings. Distance perception exhibited definite scaling with respect to actual distance but proved to be relatively unaffected by independent manipulations of the canonical features of locatable sounds. Of the various manipulations, frequency range and frequency modulation seemed to be the most significant. Discussion focused on an evaluation of Marler's (1955, 1957) criteria for locatable and nonlocatable sounds, issues of response degrees of freedom in reporting perceived distance in 3 dimensions, and perceptual similarities between humans and nonhumans.

Note: Article Russell MK, Univ Connecticut, Dept Psychol, Ctr Ecol Study Percept & Act, Box U-20, Storrs,CT 06269 USA

Keyword(s): VISUAL GUIDANCE; BRAIN-STEM; LOCALIZATION; PERCEPTION; AFFORDANCES; CUES

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