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Psychophysical study of numbers

IV. Generalized preferred state theory

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Summary

The theory described in this paper is concerned with the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying psychophysical laws. The theory is a generalization of a model used to predict a subject's conception of the number continuum. It is assumed that all physical attributes (including numbers) undergo a perceptual transformation in terms of the operation of mathematical base systems. Different stimulus attributes are transformed by different bases, leading to transformed intensity values which are “preferred states.” Several new psychophysical equations are developed and compared with the laws of Fechner and Stevens.

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This article is the fourth in a five-part series. The major ideas were developed while I was a visiting professor in the Psychologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg. I would like to thank Professor Kurt Pawlik of that institute for providing me with a convenient place to think. The theory was first presented at the 1973 meetings of the Psychonomic Society. I am grateful to Charles Lewis, Elliot Noma, and Stephen Weissmann for their criticism, encouragement and advice on many aspects of this work.

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Baird, J.C. Psychophysical study of numbers. Psychol. Res 38, 175–187 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308523

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00308523

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