Definition of Duplex perception
Duplex perception refers to the linguistic phenomenon whereby "part of the acoustic signal is used for both a speech and a nonspeech percept." A listener is presented with two simultaneous, dichotic stimuli. One ear receives an isolated third-formant transition that sounds like a nonspeech chirp. At the same time the other ear receives a base syllable. This base syllable consists of the first two formants, complete with formant transitions, and the third formant without a transition. Normally, there would be peripheral masking in such a binaural listening task but this does not occur. Instead, the listener's percept is duplex, that is, the completed syllable is perceived and the nonspeech chirp is heard at the same time. This is interpreted as being due to the existence of a special speech module.
The phenomenon was discovered in 1974 by Timothy C. Rand at the Haskins Laboratories associated with Yale University.
Duplex perception was argued as evidence for the existence of distinct systems for general auditory perception and speech perception. It is also notable that this same phenomenon can be obtained with slamming doors.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Apparent source width
Apparent source width (ASW) refers to the perceived spatial extent of a sound source…
Binaural unmasking
Binaural unmasking is phenomenon of auditory perception where the brain combines…
Acoustic black hole effect
Acoustic black hole effect is a physical phenomenon describing a large increase in…
Simultaneous communication
Simultaneous communication, SimCom, or sign supported speech (SSS) is a technique…
Dichotic pitch
In Audiology, dichotic pitch (or the dichotic pitch phenomenon) is a pitch heard due to…
McGurk effect
The McGurk effect is a perceptual phenomenon that demonstrates an interaction between…
Multistable auditory perception
Multistable auditory perception is a cognitive phenomenon in which certain auditory…
Backward masking
In psychology and neuroscience, backward masking is a phenomenon of human perception in…
Ultrasound-triggered drug delivery using stimuli-responsive hydrogels
Ultrasound-triggered drug delivery using stimuli-responsive hydrogels refers to the…
Frequently asked questions
What is Duplex perception?
Duplex perception refers to the linguistic phenomenon whereby "part of the acoustic signal is used for both a speech and a nonspeech percept." A listener is presented with two simultaneous, dichotic stimuli.