Specific loudness derives from Stevens’ power law applied to excitation

Evidence

Stevens’ law says that a sensation belonging to the category of intensity sensations grows with physical intensity according to a power law. In consequence of that law, we have to assume that a relative change in loudness is proportional to a relative change in intensity. … Specific loudness is developed using this power law. Instead of using the total loudness as the value in question, specific loudness is used. Additionally, instead of intensity, excitation has to be used. — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1262

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains how Stevens’ general psychophysical law is particularized into the specific-loudness variable used in the model.