Chapter 6 (Module 6.1) - Audition

Question 1

this term refers to the intensity of a sound wave

Answer 1

amplitude

Question 2

this term refers to the number of compressions per second in a sound

usually measured by hertz

Answer 2

frequency

Question 3

this term refers to the related aspect of perception of sound

Answer 3

pitch

Question 4

what are the three aspects of sound?

Answer 4

amplitude
pitch
timbre

Question 5

this term refers to the tone quality or tone complexity of a sound

Answer 5

timbre

Question 5

this term refers to the snail-shaped structure of the inner ear

Answer 5

cochlea

Question 6

this term refers to the familiar structure of flesh and cartilage attached to each side of the head

Answer 6

pinna

Question 7

this term refers to a membrane of the inner ear

Answer 7

oval window

Question 7

what is another name for the eardrum?

Answer 7

tympanic membrane

Question 8

this term refers to the AUDITORY RECEPTORS that lie between the basilar membrane on the one sde and the tectoral membrane on the other

Answer 8

HAIR CELLS

Question 8

according to this theory, the basilar membrane
resembles the strings of a piano, with each area along the membrane tuned to a specific frequency

each frequency activates the hair cells at only one place along the basilar membrane, and the nervous system distinguishes among frequencies based on which neurons respond

Answer 8

PLACE THEORY

Question 9

according to this theory, the entire basilar membrane vibrates in synchrony with a sound, causing auditory nerve axons to produce action potentials at the same frequency

Answer 9

FREQUENCY THEORY

Question 10

according to this principle, the auditory nerve as a whole produces volleys of impulses for sounds up to about 4000 per second, even though no individual axon approaches that frequency

Answer 10

volley principle of pitch discrimination

Question 11

wwhere does most human hearing take place?

Answer 11

most human hearing takes place below 4000Hz

Question 12

where is the primary auditory cortex (A1) located?

Answer 12

superior temporal cortex

Question 13

in the auditory system, where is the pathway speicalized for identifying sounds located?

Answer 13

anterior temporal cortex

Question 13

in the auditory system, where is the pathway specialized for locating sounds located?

Answer 13

posterior temporal cortex and parietal corte

Question 13

does damage to the pirmary auditory cortex cause deafness?

Answer 13

NO, they have trouble with speech and music but they can identify and localize single sounds

Question 14

How is the auditory cortex like the visual cortex?

Answer 14

(a) Both vision and hearing have
“what” and “where” pathways.

(b) Areas in the superior temporal cortex analyze movement of both visual and auditory stimuli. Damage there can cause motion blind
ness or motion deafness.

(c) The visual cortex is essential for visual imagery, and the primary auditory cortex is
essential for auditory imagery.

(d) Both the visual and auditory cortices need normal experience early in life to develop normal sensitivities

Question 14

What is one way in which the auditory and visual cortices differ?

Answer 14

Damage to the primary visual cortex leaves someone blind, but damage to the primary auditory cortex merely impairs perception of complex sounds without making the person

Question 14

What evidence suggests that human concepts rely on activation of the relevant sensory or motor areas of the cortex?

Answer 14

People with damage to the auditory cortex regard many sound-related words, such as “thunder,” as if they were nonwords.

Question 15

what are the two categories of hearing loss?

Answer 15

conductive deafness and nerve deafness

Question 15

this term refers to the frequent or constant ringing in the ears

Answer 15

tinnitus

Question 15

this condition results from damage to the cochlea, the hair cells, or the auditory nerve

Answer 15

nerve deafness or inner-ear deafness

Question 15

this term refers to a cognitive disorder characterized by difficulty perceiving or producing musical tones, melodies, and rhythms

Answer 15

amusia

Question 16

this term refers to the result of the prevention of the middle ear from transmitting sound waves properly to the cochlea

Answer 16

conductive deafness or middle-ear deafness

Question 16

What evidence suggests that absolute pitch depends on special experiences?

Answer 16

Absolute pitch occurs almost entirely among people who had early musical training and is also more common among people who speak tonal languages, which require greater attention to pitch

Question 17

Which type of hearing loss—conductive deafness or nerve deafness—would be more common among members of rock bands and why?

Answer 17

Nerve deafness is common among rock band members because their frequent exposure to loud noises causes damage to the cells of the ear.

Question 18

Why do many older people have trouble hearing speech in spite of wearing hearing aids?

Answer 18

In some cases the language areas of the cortex have become less responsive. Also, auditory areas of the brain have decreased levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters, and the result is decreased ability to focus attention on one speaker in a noisy environment.