Abstract
This study evaluates the role of item predictability in auditory temporal coherence. Thirteen normal-hearing subjects were required to hold together long tonal sequences as single strings of notes. Temporal and spectral predictability of successive notes in a sequence varied as a function of experimental condition. As the frequency separation of the notes in the sequence increased, the subjects found it more difficult to hold the sequence together as a single stream. There was no significant difference in subjects’ abilities in performing this task as a function of experimental condition. That is, the predictability of successive notes appeared not to have a role in temporal coherence.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Dowling, W. J. (1973). Rhythmic groups and subjective chunks in memory for melodies.Perception & Psychophysics,14, 37–40.
Dowling, W. J., Lung, K., M.-T., &Herrbold, S. (1987). Aiming attention in pitch and time in the perception of interleaved melodies.Perception & Psychophysics,41, 642–656.
Handel, S., Weaver, M. S., &Lawson, G. (1983). Effect of rhythmic grouping on stream segregation.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance,9, 637–651.
Henke, W. L. (1980).MITSYN: A coherent family of command-level utilities for time signal processing [computer program]. Available from W. L. Henke, 133 Bright Street, Belmont, MA 02178.
Jones, M. R., Boltz, M., &Kidd, G. (1982). Controlled attending as a function of melodic and temporal context.Perception & Psychophysics,32, 211–218.
van Noorden, L. P. A. S. (1975).Temporal coherence in the perception of tone sequences. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Technische Hogeschool Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
George, M.FS., Bregman, A.S. Role of predictability of sequence in auditory stream segregation. Perception & Psychophysics 46, 384–386 (1989). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03204992
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03204992