In speech perception, what is categorical perception?

Categorical perception in speech perception refers to the phenomenon where listeners group distinct speech sounds into categories, leading them to perceive those sounds as the same, even when there are acoustic differences present. This process allows individuals to recognize phonemes consistently, regardless of variations that occur due to factors like accent, speaker characteristics, or background noise.

For example, when presented with the sounds "ba" and "pa," listeners may perceive them as distinct categories despite subtle acoustic differences. This cognitive process simplifies speech processing by organizing sounds into broader categories, which aids in comprehension and recognition during communication.

The other options do not accurately define categorical perception. Normalizing speech rates involves adjusting the understanding based on tempo or speed, while understanding constant sounds despite variations relates more to sound recognition rather than the categorical grouping of phonemes. Discriminating based on familiarity focuses on prior exposure or experience with sounds, rather than the perception of categories themselves.