multidimensional scaling of timbre

[Christian Kaernbach <auditorylist@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear list,

I seem to remember that one lesson from multidimensional scaling of 
timbres was that the type of dimensions found depends strongly on the 
selection of the stimuli. If my memory serves me right, the similarity 
data would alway yield two- to three-dimensional spaces, regardless of 
whether the stimuli were quite divers (all types of instruments of the 
classical orchestra) or from a narrow subgroup (say, all woodwinds). In 
other words, people seem to be able to manage two to three dimensions in 
their cognitive space representing the entirety of the stimuli of a 
certain experiment. Is that correct, and is there a reference referring 
to this phenomenon?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

--
Christian Kaernbach
Kiel University
Germany
www.kaernbach.de