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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
[The psychophysics of sweet taste. 6. Context effects by use of multiple stimuli sequences]
1Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Abstract:
For the determination of differentiation probabilities in a multiple experimental design the range of stimuli is a significant source of disturbance. In order to determine their efficiency, sequences with 5 equidistant gradated concentrations of sucrose were used, which were compared with a basic concentration. The probability for each gradation was carried out with help of 2-AFC-technique (60 pairs each). 5 gradations at 3 basic concentrations with fixed, average balance were examined in a factorized experimental design. The frequency of the correct judgments is linearily dependent on the sequence of stimuli. In the experimental space the slope of this relationships decreases with increasing gradation hyperbolically (range-effects). The level of the basic stimuli is in this view without any greater importance. When determining the difference thresholds these context effects are to be considered.
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