Perceived Weight Is Affected by Auditory Pitch Not Loudness. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takashima, Midori
• Is Part Of: Perception. Volume 47:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1196
• Page End: 1199
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: size–weight illusion -- auditory pitch -- loudness -- weight perception; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception -- Periodicals; Perception; Periodicals; 153.705
• DOI: 10.1177/0301006618808937
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0066

Abstract

This study examined whether auditory pitch and loudness affect the perception of object's weight. Two series experiments showed that the object with High-Pitch sound was perceived as being lighter than the object with Low-Pitch sound and that the perceived weight was not affected by loudness. Because auditory pitch has a relationship to the weight of an object while loudness has a relationship to the distance of a placed object, the perceived weight was affected by auditory pitch not loudness. Given these results, perhaps sound effects may make it easier to carry heavy luggage?