Abstract
Forced-choice adaptive procedures enjoy widespread use for measurement of detection and discrimination thresholds. Using computer simulations and behavioral data, this paper examines the effect of step size (2 and 4 dB), decision rule (targets =70.7%, 75%, and 79.4% correct) and initial starting level on thresholds obtained under conditions of inattention and complete attention. Simulations of two-alternative forced-choice (AFC) and three-AFC procedures demonstrate that the best general strategy for measuring thresholds under conditions of inattention is to employ a low percentage (e.g., 70.7%) as a target on the psychometric function combined with a large step size. When a track for an inattentive listener is begun far above threshold, we found that using a large step size for the first two turnarounds (reversals in stimulus level direction) and then switching to a step size that is 1/2 the initial step size was less effective than using the large step size for the entire threshold estimation run. Behavioral data obtained in a tonal detection-in-noise task with a 2-AFC procedure support the validity of the simulations.
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