Which theory of pitch perception suggests that sound waves of different frequencies cause different locations on the basilar membrane to vibrate?

The theory of pitch perception that suggests sound waves of different frequencies cause different locations on the basilar membrane to vibrate is known as place theory. This theory asserts that when sound enters the ear, it travels through the cochlea, where higher frequencies stimulate the base of the cochlea, while lower frequencies activate areas further along towards the apex. As a result, the specific area that vibrates corresponds to the specific frequency of the sound wave. This local activation allows the brain to perceive different pitches based on which part of the basilar membrane is triggered.

In contrast, frequency theory posits that the pitch of the sound is determined by the rate at which the auditory nerve fires, rather than the location of vibration along the basilar membrane. The volley principle is an extension of this theory, suggesting that groups of neurons can fire in succession to encode higher frequencies. Lastly, resonance theory, though it discusses how sound can resonate in a medium, does not specifically account for the location of vibration along the basilar membrane in relation to pitch perception. Understanding place theory encompasses the key concept that specific locations on the membrane are linked to specific frequencies, which is central to how we perceive pitch.