ABSTRACT

Whereas chapter 2 dealt with three different frame-of-reference (FR) models, which rely on so-called direct methods, especially ratings and category scales, alternative psychophysical techniques are described in the following sections. These latter methods are particularly appropriate for obtaining nonverbal, namely behavioural data. Consider, for example, such an indirect method based on choice behaviour (e.g., method of pair comparison) for the study of non-linguistic or linguistically immature organisms, say, preverbal infants. An impressive illustration of auditory psychophysics in human infants was provided by Bruce A. Schneider and Sandra E. Trehub, Canada. Their psychophysical curves were based on the amount of correct head-turn (behaviour) as a function of varying decibel level for different test frequencies (Schneider & Trehub, 1985; Trehub, 1990, 1993, 2003; see also Cynx, 1995; Enquist & Ghirlanda, 2005; Ghirlanda, 2002; Ghirlanda & Enquist, 2003; Hulse & Cynx, 1995; Hulse, MacDougall-Shackleton, & Wisniewski, 1997).