Training for Learners of Differing Basic Auditory Ability

The customary opinion in speech perception is that high stimulus-variability training produces more robust learning than low stimulus-variability. However, such an approach does not take into account different patterns of learning across individuals. Previous research in our lab has demonstrated that subjects with lower pre-training basic auditory ability do not learn to the same level as individuals with higher pre-training ability.

The present project focuses on differential effects between training type (high vs. low stimulus-variability) and pre-training basic auditory ability. Our results indicate that training on high-variability stimuli is only beneficial to individuals with high pre-training basic auditory ability. Subjects with low pre-training basic auditory ability are impaired in the high-variability training relative both to individuals with stronger basic audition and individuals with weaker basic audition who undergo low-variability training (red line in the graph above).

These results indicate that different training types preferentially engage different levels of learning, and that certain individuals benefit preferrentially from one type of training versus the other.

Related Papers

Lee, J.Y., Perrachione, T.K., Dees, T.M., & Wong, P.C.M. (submitted) “Differential effects of stimulus variability and learners’ pre-existing pitch perception ability in lexical tone learning by native English speakers.”

Wong, P.C.M. & Perrachione, T.K. (2006, in press) “Learning pitch patterns in lexical identification by native English-speaking adults.” Applied Psycholinguistics.

Wong, P.C.M., Perrachione, T.K. & Parrish, T.B. (2006, in press) “Neural Characteristics of Successful and Less Successful Speech and Word Learning in Adults.” Human Brain Mapping.

Investigators

Jiyeon Lee
Tyler Perrachione
Tasha Dees
Patrick Wong