Speaker: Keith R. Kluender, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
\nTitle: Speech perception as efficient coding
\nTime: Friday, 18 September, 4pm
\nPlace: Singleton Auditorium, 46-3002<\/P>
\nAbstract:<\/p>\n
Fundamental principles that govern all perception, from transduction to cortex,
\nare shaping our understanding of perception of speech and other familiar
\nsounds. Here, ecological and sensorineural considerations are proposed in
\nsupport of an information-theoretical approach to speech perception.
\nOptimization of information transmission and efficient coding are emphasized in
\nexplanations of classic characteristics of speech perception, including:
\nperceptual resilience to signal degradation; variability across changes in
\nlistening environment, rate, and talker; categorical perception; and, word
\nsegmentation. Experimental findings will be used to illustrate how a series of like
\nprocesses operate upon the acoustic signal with increasing levels of
\nsophistication on the way from waveforms to words. Common to these
\nprocesses are ways that perceptual systems absorb predictable characteristics
\nof the soundscape, from temporally local (adaptation) to extended periods
\n(learning), and sensitivity to new information is enhanced. [Supported by NIDCD]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n