Abstract
Scales whose categories are labeled with ranges of ratio values are compared with verbal category scales and magnitude estimation. Relative perceived intensities of Eugenol odor were scaled by power law methods, using 102 Ss, five scaling methods-one verbal, two numerical, and two magnitude estimation-and making comparisons against two alternate odor reference standards. Variations in the psychophysical exponent values derived under each condition were examined. Comparisons between scale types were made: numerical ratio-range category scales may behave as magnitude estimations or as category scales depending on the way responses are scored by the experimenter.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
EISLER, H. Empirical test of a model relating magnitude and category scales. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 1962a, 3, 88–96.
EISLER, H. On the problem of category scales in psychophysics. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 1962b, 3, 81–87.
EISLER, H. Magnitude scales, category scales, and Fechnerian integration. Psychological Review, 1963,70,243–253.
ENGEN, T., & PFAFFMAN, C. Absolute judgements of odor intensity. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1959,58,23–26.
ENGEN, T., & PFAFFMAN, C. Absolute judgements of odor quality. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1960,59,214–219.
GALANTER, E. H., & MESSICK, S. The relation between category and magnitude scales of loudness. Psychological Review, 1961,68,363–372.
HARPER, R., & STEVENS, S. S. Subjective hardness of compliant materials. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1964. 26, 204–215.
HELM, C. E., MESSICK, S., & TUCKER, L. R. Psychological models for relating discrunination and magnitude estimation scales. Psychological Review, 1961,68, 167–177.
JONES, F. N. Scales of subjective intensity for odors of divelse chemical nature. American Journal of Psychology, 1958a, 71, 305–310.
JONES, F. N. Subjective scales of intensity for three odors. American Journal of Psychology, 1958b, 71, 423–425.
OUGH, C. S., & STONE, H. An olfactometer for rapid and critical odor measurement. Journal of Food Science, 1961,26,452–456.
PARDUCCI, A. Range-frequency compromise in judgement. Psychological Monographs, 1963,1 (2, Whole No. 565).
PARDUCCI, A. Category judgment: A range-frequency model. Psychological Review, 1965,71,407–418.
REESE, T. S., & STEVENS, S. S. Subjective intensity of coffee odor. American Journal of Psychology, 1960, 73, 424–428.
SANDUSKY, A., & PARDUCCI, A. Pleasantness of odor as a function of the immediate stimulus context. Psychonornic Science. 1965, 3, 231–232.
STEVENS, S. S., & GALANTER, E. H. Ratio scales and category scales for a dozen perpetual continua. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1957, 54,377–411.
SVENSON, O. On the estimation of darkness by direct scaling methods. Reports of Psychological Laboratory of the University of Stockholm, 1967, No. 234.
TORGERSON, W. S. Quantitative judgement scales. In H. Gulliksen and S. Messick (Eds.),Psychological scaling: Theory and applications. New York: Wiley, 1960.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The work reported here was supported by funds from the University Grants Committee of New Zealand, in grants made to R. A. M. Gregson and to M. J. Mitchell.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gregson, R.A.M., Mitchell, M.J., Simmonds, M.B. et al. Relative olfactory intensity perception as mediated by ratio-range category scale responses. Perception & Psychophysics 6, 133–136 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03210078
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03210078