An Adjacency Effect in Auditory Distance Perception

ISSN： 1610-1928

Source： Acta Acustica united with Acustica, Vol.91, Iss.3, 2005-05, pp. : 480-489

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Abstract

The Adjacency Principle asserts that the effectiveness of cues between perceptual "objects" is a direct function of their spatial adjacency. Previously demonstrated as a factor in perceiving visual space, this principle also applies to auditory space. The apparent locations of two (reference) sounds were manipulated using visual capture. For the main condition, simultaneously presented lights were positioned at distances inconsistent with the physical distances of the reference sources. Thus, a physically Near source at 2 m and a physically Far source at 5 m could be perceptually reversed in relative distance (i.e., the physically nearer source could be made to appear farther than the physically farther one). Listeners judged the distances of these referents, as well as the distances of three Test sounds. The test sounds all originated from 3 m, but one was directionally closer to the Near referent, one directionally closer to the Far referent and one mid-way between. Control conditions demonstrated that auditory information was sufficient for perceiving Test sounds as equidistant. When the Near referent was incorrectly experienced as being farther, however, the reported distances of the Test sounds were significantly altered. Test sounds were heard in relation to the spatially most-adjacent referent, indicating that the Adjacency Principle serves as a general organizational factor in spatial perception, across at least two modalities.