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Sensitivity to change in perception of speech
Keith R Kluender1, Jeffry A Coady1, Michael Kiefte2
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, 1202 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Speech Communication
|July 28, 2017
Summary
Perceptual systems prioritize detecting changes, often by enhancing contrast. This principle explains key aspects of speech perception, including coarticulation, and suggests systems constantly calibrate for optimal change detection.
Area of Science:
- Auditory perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Perceptual systems are highly sensitive to stimulus changes.
- Many perceptual responses to change can be understood as contrast enhancement.
- This sensitivity is crucial for processing complex sensory information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how spectral contrast explains fundamental aspects of speech perception.
- To investigate the role of perceptual system calibration in processing speech.
- To determine if contrast enhancement is a general principle in perception.
Main Methods:
- Review of findings from perception experiments.
- Analysis of psychoacoustic and neurophysiological data.
- Theoretical integration of contrast enhancement in speech perception models.
Main Results:
- Spectral contrast provides a robust explanation for coarticulated speech perception.
- Findings align with established psychoacoustic and neurophysiological principles.
- Perceptual sensitivity to change is a key factor across broader speech characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Contrast enhancement is a fundamental mechanism in perceptual systems.
- The calibration of perceptual systems to maximize sensitivity to change is vital for speech perception.
- This framework offers a unified account for various aspects of auditory processing.
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