Developmental differences in detection and identification of CV syllables

Abstract

This study investigated the detection and identification of synthesized CV syllables [bɑ, dɑ, gɑ] by 6- and 10-year-old children and adults. Detection thresholds were measured using a three-interval forced-choice, adaptive procedure, with trial-by-trial feedback. Syllable identification was measured using a three-alternative forced-choice task, also with trial-by-trial feedback. Performance-intensity functions for the syllable identification data were fit with a logistic function to determine slope and identification thresholds. Detection thresholds and identification thresholds were significantly poorer for 6-year olds than for 10-year olds and adults; performance-intensity function slopes were significantly more shallow for 6-year olds than for the other groups. The effect of syllable was significant for identification threshold and slope, but not for detection threshold. These results extend previous demonstrations of developmental differences in pure tone sensitivity and word identification to CV syllables. [Work supported, in part, by NSF.]