Chapter 3 Psychology

Overtones

Tones that result from sound waves that are multiples of the basic tone; primary determinant of timbre

Basilar membrane

Vibrating membrane in the cochlea of the inner ear it contains sense receptors for sound

Volley principle

a modified or refined frequency theory; suggest that the auditory neurons fire in the sequence increasing to a rapid series of impulses; the complete pattern corresponds to the frequency of a soundwave

Oval window

membrane that covers the opening between the middle ear and inner ear that conducts vibrations to the cochlea

Gate control theory

pain is only experienced in the pain messages can pass through a gate in the spinal cord on their route to the brain

Timbre

quality of sound

Kinesthetic senses

sense of muscle movement, posture, and strain on muscles/joints; provides information on speed and direction of movement; works with vestibular sense

Hertz (Hz)

unit for frequency cycles per second

Decibel

unit of measurement for the loudness of sounds

Placebo effect

A pill or procedure that people thinkb

Sound

A psychological experience created by the brain in response to changes in air pressure that are received by the auditory system

Pitch

Auditory experience A tone's experienced highness or lowness; depends on frequency for sounds and vibrations

Auditory nerve

Bundle of axons that carries signals from each ear to the brain

Sound waves

Changes in pressure caused when molecules of air or fluid collide with one another and then move apart again

Pheromones

Chemical molecules that communicate information to other members of a species, and influence their behavior through smell

Frequency

Number of cycles per second in a wave, primary determinant of pitch

Cochlea

Part of the inner ear containing fluid that vibrates which in turn causes the basilar membrane to vibrate

Taste buds

Receptors for taste found on the tongue in papillae.

Olfactory bulb

Smell center in the brain

Organ of corti

Structure on the surface of the basilar membrane that contains the receptor cells for hearing

Amplitude

The magnitude of a wave in sound the primary determinant of loudness

Vestibular senses

The sensations of movement, balance, and body position in space

Biopsychosocial theory

The theory that the interaction of biological, psychological, and cultural factors influences the intensity and duration of pain.

Frequency theory

Theory that pitch is determined by the frequency with which hair cells in the cochlea fire

Place theory

Theory that pitch is determined by the location of greatest vibration on the basilar membrane