Psychology 2115A/B Lecture Notes - Basilar Membrane, White Noise, Afterimage

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2115A/B
• Professor: Prof

Document Summary

As you get older your sensitivity to frequency is worse. When you"re born you can hear so much (25-30hz). As you get older you lose the ability to perceive high frequencies. It"s okay because theres not much going on at this high of frequencies. Frequency and the psychological response to it (pitch) The words you hear in conversation are different because of pitch. You need pitch to understand meaningful auditory stimuli. Helmholtz suggested that for each different frequency theres a spot on the basilar membrane that is maximally activated (for. 1000hz theres a spot that"s activated which codes for a 1000hz signal for what you"re listening to- place theory). The basilar membrane doesn"t respond at a particular place it responds with a travelling wave - the wave has a peak though, a spot of maximum movement. The place theory: theres a spot of maximum stimulation, not a place or spot.