Random intensity variation disrupts place but not temporal pitch coding

Evidence

We can look to another frequency discrimination experiment, conducted by Henning in 1966, to provide additional input into this question as it relates to frequency discrimination. Henning measured frequency discrimination for multiple frequencies, just like Wier et al. However, on every trial, Henning randomly varied the intensity of the sound presented in each observation interval. … Henning found that at low frequencies, the intensity variation did not affect the FDL. However, at high frequencies, the FDL was much worse under the intensity variation. Henning concluded that the place code was supported at the high frequencies and the temporal code was supported at the low frequencies. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1269

Categorization

• DEFINE: This is the experimental logic that distinguishes place from temporal code: intensity variations spare timing cues but corrupt place cues.
• XREF: Relates to the reader’s broad interest in distinguishing mechanism accounts of perception via experimental dissociation.