PSY 3.3 - Hearing

Audition

the sense of hearing

pitch

the degree to which a sound is high or low determined by the frequency of its sound wave

frequency

the number of sound waves passing a given point per unit of time; higher frequency is perceived as higher pitch, and lower frequency is perceived as lower pitch

cochlea

fluid-filled, snail-shaped organ of the inner ear lined with the basilar membrane

place theory

states that pitch corresponds to the location of the vibrating hair cells along the cochlea

frequency theory

states that pitch is determined by the vibrating frequency of the sound wave, basilar membrane, and associated neural impulses

volley principle

states that neurons work together so their combined firing reaches frequencies higher than one neuron can achive alone