Spectral and virtual pitch perception of complex tones: An opposite hemispheric lateralization?

Author(s): Peretz, I., Liegeoischauvel, C., Demany, L., Semal, C., Larue, S.

Journal/Book: Brain Cognition. 1996; 30: 525B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495. Academic Press Inc Jnl-Comp Subscriptions. 303-308.

Abstract: The perceived pitch of a complex tone often corresponds to its fundamental frequency (f0). This ''virtual'' pitch perception should be contrasted with ''spectral'' pitch perception. Spectral pitch may correspond to the frequency of one isolated spectral component or to the simultaneous frequencies of a (sub)set of spectral components. In the present study, normal subjects were presented monaurally with pairs of two- or four-harmonic complex tones without energy at the f0. They were required to judge as quickly as possible whether the pitch rose or fell. From the first to the second tone, the frequency of the lower harmonic(s) moved up or down while the (missing) f0 moved in the opposite direction. Two-harmonic tones yielded spectral pitch perception in that 85% of the responses followed the direction of the partial(s), whereas four-harmonic tones yielded virtual pitch perception, with 90% of the responses following the direction of the (missing) f0. On response latencies, spectral responses did not yield a reliable ear effect. In contrast, virtual responses were found to elicit faster responses in the right ear/left hemisphere.

Note: Article L Rousseau, Univ Montreal, Dept Psychol, Grp Rech Neuropsychol Expt, CP 6128, Succ Ctr Ville, Montreal, Pq H3C 3J7, Canada

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