Psychophysical measurements in children: challenges, pitfalls, and considerations

PeerJ
C WittonG B Henning

Abstract

Measuring sensory sensitivity is important in studying development and developmental disorders. However, with children, there is a need to balance reliable but lengthy sensory tasks with the child's ability to maintain motivation and vigilance. We used simulations to explore the problems associated with shortening adaptive psychophysical procedures, and suggest how these problems might be addressed. We quantify how adaptive procedures with too few reversals can over-estimate thresholds, introduce substantial measurement error, and make estimates of individual thresholds less reliable. The associated measurement error also obscures group differences. Adaptive procedures with children should therefore use as many reversals as possible, to reduce the effects of both Type 1 and Type 2 errors. Differences in response consistency, resulting from lapses in attention, further increase the over-estimation of threshold. Comparisons between data from individuals who may differ in lapse rate are therefore problematic, but measures to estimate and account for lapse rates in analyses may mitigate this problem.

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Citations

Jun 13, 2019·International Journal of Audiology·Sam DenysJan Wouters
Dec 27, 2019·Dyslexia : the Journal of the British Dyslexia Association·Caroline WittonJoel B Talcott
Mar 28, 2018·Attention, Perception & Psychophysics·Catherine ManningElizabeth Pellicano
Nov 20, 2018·Journal of Vision·Scott W J MooneyGlen T Prusky
Jan 12, 2021·ELife·Sashank PisupatiAnne K Churchland
Nov 5, 2021·Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR·Liesbeth GijbelsAdrian K C Lee

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