In a Study on Categorical Perception, Listeners Hear Two Sounds

question 20

Multiple Choice

In a study on categorical perception, listeners hear two sounds and then a third, and determine if the third sound was the same as the first or the second. Results show that:

• A) performance is at chance if the two sounds are from the same phonetic category
• B) performance is poor at the outset but listeners improve significantly with practice
• C) performance is better if the two sounds are from the same phonetic category than if they are from different phonetic categories
• D) all of the above

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Definitions:

Parallel Processing

The ability of the brain to simultaneously process incoming stimuli of differing quality, a fundamental mechanism underlying sensory perception and cognition.

Hallucinations

Perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, often in visual or auditory forms.

Selective Attention

The cognitive process of focusing on a particular object or task while ignoring other irrelevant information.

Hypnotic Pain Relief

A therapeutic technique involving hypnosis to manage and reduce pain perception in individuals without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.