Question

Perception of pitch can best be explained by: A. place theory. B. frequency theory. C. both place theory and frequency theory. D. neither theory.

Short answer

Answer: C. both place theory and frequency theory.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Place Theory

Place theory suggests that our perception of pitch is related to the location of the hair cells stimulated on the basilar membrane in the inner ear. Different parts of the basilar membrane are sensitive to different frequencies, with high frequencies causing vibrations near the base and low frequencies causing vibrations near the apex. The brain detects the location of these vibrations to perceive pitch.

Understand Frequency Theory

Frequency theory states that our perception of pitch is based on the rate at which the hair cells in the inner ear send impulses to the brain. According to this theory, the hair cells respond to the frequency of a sound wave by sending impulses to the auditory nerve at the same rate as the frequency. The brain then perceives pitch based on this firing rate.

Compare the Theories

Place theory is better at explaining pitch perception for higher frequencies, while frequency theory is better for lower frequencies. This is because place theory depends on the spatial arrangement of the basilar membrane's responsiveness, which tends to be more accurate for higher frequencies. On the other hand, frequency theory is limited by the maximum possible firing rate of hair cells, which is around 1000 Hz, making it less suitable for explaining higher frequency pitch perception.

Determine the Best Answer

Based on the comparison between place theory and frequency theory, it can be concluded that both theories are important in explaining the perception of pitch, as they each explain different aspects of pitch perception. Hence, the correct answer is: C. both place theory and frequency theory.