Perceptual influence of auditory pitch on motion speed

J Vis. 2021 Sep 1;21(10):11. doi: 10.1167/jov.21.10.11.

Abstract

There is a cross-modal mapping between auditory pitch and many visual properties, but the relationship between auditory pitch and motion speed is unexplored. In this article, the ball and baffle are used as the research objects, and an object collision experiment is used to explore the perceptual influence of auditory pitch on motion speed. Since cross-modal mapping can influence perceptual experience, this article also explores the influence of auditory pitch on action measures. In Experiment 1, 12 participants attempted to release a baffle to block a falling ball on the basis of speed judgment, and after each trial, they were asked to rate the speed of the ball. The speed score and baffle release time were recorded and used for analysis of variance. Since making explicit judgments about speed can alter the processing of visual paths, another group of participants in Experiment 2 completed the experiment without making explicit judgments about speed. Our results show that there is a cross-modal mapping between auditory pitch and motion speed, and high or low tones cause perception shift to faster or slower speeds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Auditory Perception
  • Humans
  • Judgment
  • Motion
  • Motion Perception*
  • Pitch Perception*