Abstract:

Training in Psychophysics and Perception relies heavily on hands-on experience with auditory tasks, where students are expected to acquire both conceptual understanding and methodological skills. However, the quality of the acoustic signal used during training may shape not only perceptual performance but also the learning process itself.

This study examines how variations in acoustic signal quality affect performance on Signal Detection Theory (SDT) tasks among undergraduate Psychology training. A total of 86 students from the Psychology Degree program participated during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Three practical activities were implemented:
(i) an SDT task comparing performance under calibrated versus standard auditory conditions;
(ii) estimation of binaural audibility curves using the method of limits; and
(iii) monaural audiometric assessment using a clinical-grade audiometer to compare with classroom-derived thresholds.

Results indicate that lower-fidelity acoustic conditions may introduce unintended perceptual cues that can increase discriminability (d’) in certain cases, while also affecting response criteria. In contrast, calibrated auditory conditions lead to more stable and conservative decision strategies, aligning better with theoretical expectations.
Comparisons between classroom-based audibility curves and clinical audiometry revealed systematic deviations exceeding 20 dB in some participants, highlighting the impact of uncontrolled acoustic environments on threshold estimation.

From an educational perspective, these findings indicate that inadequate acoustic conditions may lead students to acquire misleading knowledge about perceptual processes and measurement accuracy. Conversely, controlled auditory environments support more accurate conceptual understanding and more reliable methodological learning.

Overall, the study highlights that acoustic infrastructure is not merely a technical requirement but a critical pedagogical factor. Ensuring high-quality auditory conditions in teaching laboratories is essential for fostering valid learning experiences and aligning practical training with current scientific standards in Psychology.

Keywords:

Signal Detection Theory, Auditory perception, Psychophysics, Acoustic signal quality, Experimental psychology training.