What does the Place theory in hearing suggest about sound perception?

The Place theory of hearing posits that different frequencies of sound waves are associated with specific locations along the basilar membrane within the cochlea of the inner ear. According to this theory, when sound waves enter the ear, they create vibrations that travel through the cochlea. These vibrations stimulate hair cells located at distinct positions on the basilar membrane, depending on the frequency of the sound. High-frequency sounds peak at the base of the cochlea, while low-frequency sounds peak towards the apex. This spatial arrangement allows the brain to interpret the pitch of sounds based on where the maximum vibration occurs, leading to our perception of different frequencies.

In contrast to this theory, the other options focus on different aspects of sound perception. One option suggests that sound is perceived based solely on the intensity of vibrations, which does not account for how different pitches are processed. Another option states that all sounds are processed uniformly across the auditory cortex, which overlooks the specialized processing that occurs for different frequencies. Lastly, the notion that sound perception is solely based on the amplitude of waves ignores the valuable role of frequency in sound perception as described by the Place theory. Together, these differences highlight the specificity of the Place theory regarding the relationship between sound frequency and spatial activation along the basilar membrane