Pitch confusions and the optimum processor theory

Abstract

Goldstein's optimum processor model for complex tones [J.L. Goldstein, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 54, 1496–1516 (1973)] allows one to compute the multimodal probability density function of the estimated fundamental frequency for any two-tone complex with only one variance parameter which depends on stimulus frequency and subject. From a given set of complex tone stimuli a set of receiver-operating characteristics can be computed which have a staircase shape because of the discrete nature of the underlying density functions. Data from musical interval identification experiments using dichotically presented harmonic two-tone complexes are processed and compared with computed ROCs. Bias effects in the criteria and other bias caused by the particular musical context of the stimulus set are discussed. [Work supported by the National Institutes of Health, grant 1RO1 NS 11680-01.]