Table 3. Factors in auditory stream integration and segregation


Simultaneous tones
 

factors favoring fusion

factors opposing fusion (favoring stream segregation)

 
  • parallel motion
  • comodulation of tones
  • conformance to a single hypothetical overtone series
  • simultaneous onset of tones
  • spacial distance
  • contrary motion
  • nonsimultaneous onset of tones

Consecutive tones

 

factors favoring stream integration

factors favoring stream segregation

 
  • small pitch interval
  • small spacial-distance-between sound sources
  • slow succession of tones
  • large pitch interval
  • large spacial-distance-between sound sources
  • fast succession of tones