The present thesis constitutes an empirical investigation of the prediction of Norwich's Entropy Theory of Perception that the positive exponent of the magnitude estimation power function and the negative exponents of equations relating the Weber fraction and simple reaction time to stimulus intensity should, since they can all be derived from the theory's Fundamental Equation, be numerically the same.
A pilot study consisting of magnitude estimation and reaction time experiments (using pure tone auditory stimuli of varying intensities at five frequencies), and a "main" study comprised of magnitude estimation, reaction time, and Weber fraction experiments are described.
The results, while offering possible confirmation of the prediction, remain somewhat tentative, owing to the persistently problematic technique of curve fitting upon which determination of the reaction time and Weber fraction exponents rests.
The theory, in leading one to even attempt to compare such previously unrelated measures as magnitude estimation and reaction time with Weber fractions, has yielded, theoretical issues aside, some worthwhile empirical results: I have obtained measures on three different psychophysical tasks from the same subjects over (effectively) the same stimulus range for each of those subjects; and, moreover have, I believe for the first time, explicitly noted that the Weber fraction displays the same decrease in exponent with increasing frequency, followed by an upturn at the highest frequencies, that characterizes both the equal loudness curves and the reaction time curves a la Chocholle. Suggestions are made regarding supplementary curve fitting methods by which to analyze these data, as well as for future research in the psychophysiological realm which, in addition to expanding the scope of the prediction that is being tested, may provide some much needed insight into the numerical values of the multiplicative and additive constants that occur in the equations under consideration in this thesis. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/29594 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | Davidson, Kelly Patricia |
| Publisher | University of British Columbia |
| Source Sets | University of British Columbia |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis/Dissertation |
| Rights | For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. |
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