Backward recognition masking in relative pitch judgments

Area of Science:

• Auditory perception
• Psychophysics
• Cognitive neuroscience

Background:

• Backward recognition masking (BRM) describes how a later sound interferes with the perception of an earlier sound.
• Previous studies suggest BRM impacts preperceptual storage and perceptual resolution.
• An alternative hypothesis proposed interference with long-term memory comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate between perceptual resolution interference and long-term memory comparison interference in BRM.
• To critically test the long-term memory comparison hypothesis by modifying the BRM task.

Main Methods:

• Modified the backward recognition masking task where subjects judged pitch differences between target and masking tones.
• Randomized target and masking tone frequencies across trials to prevent long-term memory comparison.
• Investigated masking effects under both ipsilateral and contralateral auditory presentations.

Main Results:

• Auditory masking was observed even when the task precluded long-term memory comparison.
• Masking effects persisted regardless of whether tones were presented to the same (ipsilateral) or different (contralateral) ears.
• These findings challenge the long-term memory comparison explanation for BRM.

Conclusions:

• The results support the interpretation that backward recognition masking interferes with perceptual resolution.
• Evidence points towards a central preperceptual auditory storage mechanism.
• This storage system retains auditory information after binaural integration.