On the DL for Frequency

Abstract

Difference limens for three frequencies (250, 1000, and 4000 cps) were determined for two trained observers by two psychophysical methods: the ABX procedure and the method of constant stimulus differences or AX procedure. Though the two observers differ considerably insensitivity, their DL's for the AX procedure are less than one-half of their DL's for the ABX procedure. Comparison of these data with data in the literature on DL's for frequency indicates a wide range of values for different psychophysical procedures and for different subjects. Some observations are reported that illustrate the effect of such factors as practice and ensemble of stimulus conditions upon the size of the DL. The influence of the stimulus ensemble upon judgement time is discussed briefly. In view of all the experimental data, it would be rather imprudent to postulate a “true” DL, or to infer the behavior of the peripheral organ from the size of a DL measured under a given set of conditions. While there is undoubtedly some relation between the size of the DL and the so-called channel capacity, there is little reason to assume that the relation is a particularly simple one, given the different operations by means of which these two quantities are determined.