The Effect of Tone on Tachistoscopic Word Recognition

Abstract

Three experiences investigated auditory-visual interaction and the role of a visual fixation point in tachistoscopic word recognition. The results showed that when a 60db. or 90 db. tone preceded the presentation of the word by two, four, or eight seconds, different effects on the recognition threshold were obtained only for the two-second interval. In this case, the 90 db. group had significantly higher thresholds than did the 60db. group. Other results showed that a 60db. tone facilitated recognition to the same extent as a fixation point. It was concluded that a tone of moderate intensity and occurring a brief interval before the presentation of the word facilitate word recognition, whereas a more intense tone produces a disruptive effect.