The brain can detect differences in arrival times to the ears of as little as:

Study for the AP Psychology Sensation and Perception Test. Includes multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your AP exam!

The brain's ability to detect differences in arrival times of sounds between the two ears is a crucial aspect of auditory processing and localization. The correct answer indicates that the brain can discern a time difference as small as 1/10,000 of a second. This precision allows the auditory system to determine the direction of a sound source, as sound waves will reach one ear slightly before the other if the source is off to one side.

This ability is particularly important in understanding the spatial location of sounds in our environment. It is achieved through specialized neural mechanisms that analyze the differences in timing and intensity of sounds arriving at each ear. Detecting such small time intervals enhances our capacity to locate and react to sounds quickly, contributing to various survival and communication functions in everyday life.

The incorrect options suggest larger intervals that do not align with the sensitivity of the auditory system, which is biologically adapted to detect very brief differences essential for effective sound localization.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy