Suppose Researchers Ask Participants to Identify Syllables from a Set

question 26

Multiple Choice

Suppose researchers ask participants to identify syllables from a set of stimuli that were created such that they vary systematically by equal steps of difference in voice onset time. How well will the participants identify stimuli?

• A) Syllables are identified correctly only if they occur frequently in the language.
• B) Subjects will be unable to perceive syllables near the VOT boundary between phonemes.
• C) On either side of the phoneme boundary in VOT, subjects will consistently hear each syllable as a good example of one or the other phoneme.
• D) On either side of the phoneme boundary in VOT, subjects will guess the syllable at close to a chance level.

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Definitions:

Parental Investment Theory

A theory in evolutionary biology that suggests differences in mating behaviors and parental investment are a result of evolutionary pressures.

Mating Strategies

Behavioral approaches employed by individuals to attract or choose partners for reproduction.

Reproductive Potential

The maximum possible number of offspring that an organism can produce under optimal conditions.

Affiliation Motive

The psychological drive to create and maintain social bonds and relationships with others.