Dear all,
I was recently writing a paper about threshold
estimation in hearing and at some point I stopped.
Let suppose you are estimating a frequency
discrimination threshold with a classic 2-down 1-up
staircase rule (Levitt, 1971). Theoretically, you could
approach the threshold from below or from above, I
repeat this every year to 1st year students when I teach
them the method of limits! In practice, however, in
psychoacoustics we rarely-to-never approach the
threshold from below.
Is there any reason for this "tradition"? I know the
psychometric function should be symmetric below and
above threshold! But this does not explain the
"tradition"!
All the best from "it is almost winter" North East
Italy.
m
