PSYC 515 Test 1 Solution Manual Fully Solved Latest Update 2025
Physical definition of sound - Answers sound is pressure changes in the air or other mediums
Perceptual/Psychological definition of sound - Answers sound is the experience we have when we hear
Acoustics - Answers study of the production, transmission and reception of sound
Dr. P's opinion - Answers NO, sound is caused by waves of molecules, but the waves are not sound;
sound is a psychological event and hence depends on a nervous system to transduce the physical energy
of the vibrations to nerve energy. Without a brain to register the physical energy, there can be waves
laying the groundwork for it but no sound.
Wavelength (λ) - Answers distance from one peak to the next (a single cycle of wave)
Frequency (Hertz) - Answers number of cycles/sec
The range of human hearing - Answers extends from about 15 to 20,000 Hz.
Pressure amplitude - Answers measure of compression or rarefaction at peaks or valleys
Timbre - Answers -Fourier components
-Harmonics: whole number multiples of Fundamental Frequency (added frequencies)
Holistic (or Synthetic) vs. Analytic Listening - Answers focusing on the whole sound and paying little or
no attention to components vs hearing different components separately
Missing Fundamental (Virtual Pitch) - Answers -Fundamental Frequency
-Virtual pitch is the "greatest common factor"
e.g., play 500Hz, 750 Hz, and 1000 Hz: will hear 250 Hz even though not played
Physical Dimension:
-amplitude (intensity)
-frequency
-complexity - Answers Perceptual Dimension:
-loudness
-pitch
-timbre
Threshold of Hearing - Answers depends on:
Physical definition of sound - Answers sound is pressure changes in the air or other mediums
Perceptual/Psychological definition of sound - Answers sound is the experience we have when we hear
Acoustics - Answers study of the production, transmission and reception of sound
Dr. P's opinion - Answers NO, sound is caused by waves of molecules, but the waves are not sound;
sound is a psychological event and hence depends on a nervous system to transduce the physical energy
of the vibrations to nerve energy. Without a brain to register the physical energy, there can be waves
laying the groundwork for it but no sound.
Wavelength (λ) - Answers distance from one peak to the next (a single cycle of wave)
Frequency (Hertz) - Answers number of cycles/sec
The range of human hearing - Answers extends from about 15 to 20,000 Hz.
Pressure amplitude - Answers measure of compression or rarefaction at peaks or valleys
Timbre - Answers -Fourier components
-Harmonics: whole number multiples of Fundamental Frequency (added frequencies)
Holistic (or Synthetic) vs. Analytic Listening - Answers focusing on the whole sound and paying little or
no attention to components vs hearing different components separately
Missing Fundamental (Virtual Pitch) - Answers -Fundamental Frequency
-Virtual pitch is the "greatest common factor"
e.g., play 500Hz, 750 Hz, and 1000 Hz: will hear 250 Hz even though not played
Physical Dimension:
-amplitude (intensity)
-frequency
-complexity - Answers Perceptual Dimension:
-loudness
-pitch
-timbre
Threshold of Hearing - Answers depends on:
