Sound perception is shaped by the listener’s expectations and context of use

Evidence

Blauert and Jekosch show that product sound quality is a broader concept than the auditory attributes evoked by a sound event. This characteristic is essential to relate the sound of the product and the subject actively using the product. The evoked auditory attributes are interpreted differently depending on the expectations of the subject. For example, the presence of a buzzing sound is generally not desirable, but when a subject uses an electric shaver, the buzzing sound communicates that the device is on and working. The subject also uses the fine structures of the sound to monitor the inner condition and quality of the device itself. The simple quantitative input–output relationship that psychoacoustics aims to measure has to be extended to cover psychological concepts such as cognition, action, and emotion. — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 2494

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes product sound quality (context-dependent interpretation) from raw auditory attributes
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s work on silence/noise and how context gives meaning to sounds — connects to: Perceived musical qualities like ascending notes reside in experience, not sound waves — Sarah Bakewell, At the Existentialist Café: Freedom,…, 144; Sound perception is a constructive act mediated by memory, association, and social role — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology: Principles,…, 950; Soundscape quality depends on wanted-versus-unwanted context, not decibel level — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology: Principles,…, 1452 (+1 more)
• ADDENDUM: Extends the ‘immodesty’ article’s premise that perception depends on cultural/contextual expectations — here applied to product sound design