Subject: Re: What is the limit of "exclusive allocation" ? From: Adrian KC Lee <akclee(at)MIT.EDU> Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2004 13:13:02 -0500Hi Paul, I've also been recently involved in looking at the question of exclusive allocation (and the violation of it) in auditory scene analysis. A good summary can be found in Chapter 7 of Al Bregman's book, "Auditory Scene Analysis -- The perceptual organization of sound". Hope that helps. Cheers Adrian At 12:32 PM 1/2/2004 +0000, Paul du Preez wrote: >A prosperous New Year to everyone! > >I am an MPhil/PhD student of instrumental and vocal composition (I was also >a professional musician for a number of years before resuming my studies). I >am engaged in developing music that exploits the perceptual ambiguity >generated by closely balanced competition between perceptual organisations >where those organisations share common elements. My question concerns the >principle of exclusive allocation as found in the Rubin faces/vase image and >as occurs in my music: For some time now I have had the impression that I am >able to perceive two competing perceptual organisations simultaneously, a >mode of perception that apparently violates exclusive allocation. (It also >seems to me that it must be different to duplex perception where the mind >involuntarily “duplicates” an element present in one perceptual organisation >in order to add it, mirage-like to another where it is in fact absent. The >perceptual mode I am describing is quite voluntary and does not result in >the illusory presence of duplicated elements with the receiving >organisation.) My knowledge of music psychology is inadequate to explain >this phenomenon. Can someone assist me with this? >Here are a few more details on my part: It has taken some practice to >achieve this “multiple perception”. I find it most effective with regard to >relatively static and repetitive musical textures. It is accompanied by a >trancelike sensation of “divided attention”. > >I am also on the lookout for a collaborator, someone interested in working >with a composer receptive to issues of music psychology, preferably in the >area outlined above. > >Paul du Preez >www.spnm.org.uk/shortlist > >_________________________________________________________________ >Express yourself with cool emoticons - download MSN Messenger today! >http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger Adrian KC Lee ------------------------------ 70 Pacific Street, #940B Cambridge, MA 02139, USA ------------------------------ Cell: (617) 372-3664 Home: (617) 452-5251 Email: akclee(at)mit.edu