Psychoacoustics is traditionally based on a world model that assumes a physical world existing independently of any observer - the so-called objective world. Being exposed to this world, an observer is impinged upon by a variety of stimuli reaching his/her sensory organs. These stimuli, if physiologically adequate, may cause biological transduction and signal processing in the sensory organs and its afferent pathways in such a way that finally a specific excitation of the cortex takes place, which results in sen-sations to appear in the observer’s perceptual world. The sensations are understood as being subjective, since they require an observer to exist. This world model - also known as (objectivistic) realism - reaches its limits when it comes to explaining more complex phenomena of perception. Thereupon, in this paper, an alternative world model is emphasized and applied to psychoacoustics, namely the perceptionist’s model. Like realism, perceptionism has a long tradition in epistemology. It appears to be suitable to improve our understanding of perceptual organization.

This study investigates the controversial practice of planned obsolescence in the electronics industry. The study explores how frequent new model releases affect smartphone pricing and consumer loyalty, along with factors influencing smartphone upgrades such as perceived necessity, technological advancements, and pricing incentives. The research aims to understand consumer perspectives on planned obsolescence using Venkatesh’s decision-making theory in dynamic purchase conditions. Key questions include defining planned obsolescence, dissecting the innovation and consumer behavior model, and examining how these concepts relate to purchasing the next smartphone version. The literature review covers 23 planned obsolescence references (1993-2022) and 21 innovation adoption references (1943-2021). It touches on various aspects of planned obsolescence. The study advocates for consumer awareness, sustainable practices by producers, and a balanced business model that serves all interests while protecting the environment. A legal framework supporting a circular economy is highlighted as essential in combating planned obsolescence.

The multi-stimulus test with hidden reference and anchors (MUSHRA) is commonly used for subjective quality assessment of audio systems. Despite its wide acceptance in scientific and industrial sectors, the method is not free from bias. One possible source of bias in the MUSHRA method may be attributed to a graphical design of its user interface. This paper examines the hypothesis that replacement of the standard multi-slider layout with a single-slider version could reduce a stimulus spacing bias observed in the MUSHRA test. Contrary to the expectation, the aforementioned modification did not reduce the bias. This outcome formally supports the validity of using multiple sliders in the MUSHRA graphical interface.