SAP - Auditory Sensation and Perception Lesson

Learning Target:

  • Describe the hearing process, including the specific nature of energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures, and specialized pathways in the brain for each of the senses.

AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2020. (n.d.). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-psychology-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Hearing

Hearing is the ability to perceive subtle differences in sound (air in motion). It is an important survival instinct, and it is important for social interactions and language development. Sound waves are what produce our sensory experience of sound. Frequency is the number of wavelengths that pass through a point at a given time. It is usually measured in hertz. Most sound waves are of several wave frequencies. Amplitude is how loud the sound is. The higher the wave, the louder the sound. This is measured in decibels. The absolute threshold for hearing is zero decibels.

The Anatomy of the Ear: Elastic cartilages Auditory ossicles Semicircular canals Vestibule -Vestibulocochlear nerve -Cochlea Auricle Round window Auditory tube Oval window Tympanic cavity External acoustic meatus Tympanic membrane

Our ear is made up of an outer, middle, and inner ear. Sound waves are collected in the outer ear and transduced into a neural message in the middle and inner ear. Take a moment to look at the anatomy of the ear and the process of transduction.

Sound Waves and the Ear: 1. Sound wave represents alternating areas of high and low pressure. 2. Tympanic membrane vibrates in response to sound wave. 3. Vibrations are amplified across ossicles. 4. Vibrations against oval window set up standing wave in fluid of vestibuli. 5. Pressure bends the membrane of the cochlear duct at a point of maximum vibration for a given frequency, causing hair cells in the basilar membrane to vibrate.

Complete the activity on Transduction in the Ear below.

Please take a moment to view the following video on Auditory Structure.

 

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