MAGNITUDE ESTIMATION OF PERCEIVED ODOR INTENSITY - EMPIRICAL AND THEORETICAL PROPERTIES

Four subjects judged the odor intensities of 7 pyridine concentrations and a blank. Computer simulations of a judgment model were compared w ith the empirical data. The model generates data patterns that closely mimic empirical findings. The following patterns were confirmed: (a) A power function relates magnitude estimates and concentration with an exponent in the range of 0.7 to 1.0. (b) The exponent fluctuates so t hat the level constant is negatively correlated with the exponent. (c) The standard deviation of the responses is a negatively accelerated f unction of the mean. (d) The skewness of the responses is relatively h igh for low concentrations and declines toward zero with increasing co ncentration. (e) The correlation between responses to successive stimu li is highest when successive concentrations are similar.