Higher partials dominate pitch because their sharper autocorrelation peaks win

Evidence

Rausch and Plomp have claimed a dominance region in the frequency range 500 to 2000 Hz, suggesting that frequencies in this range are more dominant in determining the pitch than frequencies that are lower or higher. As an example, they give the frequencies 204,408,612, 800,1000, and 1200 Hz. The first three partials alone give a pitch of 204 Hz. As an example of the dominance idea, Rausch and Plomp then report that the result of all six partials is 200 Hz, noting that the last three partials alone give this residue, and are within the dominance region. However, without assuming any kind of special dominance, the autocorrelation peak formula 23.1 gives 200.62 Hz with equal amplitudes for all partials, a near perfect perceptual match. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2094

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains the dominance-region phenomenon as an emergent consequence of autocorrelation peak sharpness rather than a dedicated mechanism — a useful conceptual reframing.
• XREF: Connects to autocorrelation models of pitch perception and to the physiology of the auditory cortex establishing residue pitch. — connects to: Autocorrelation predicts pitch yet met lukewarm reception — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2085; Pitch perception corresponds to peaks in the autocorrelation function — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2033; Adding higher partials can drop the perceived pitch of a tone — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2067 (+4 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2094

Broader Connections

• Pitch perception corresponds to peaks in the autocorrelation function #expands (0.90) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2033
• Qualitative pitch mirrors the qualitative nature of autocorrelation peaks #corroborates (0.85)
• Adding higher partials can drop the perceived pitch of a tone #expands (0.80) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2067
• Sharp spectral peaks, not narrow gaps, drive strong pitch perception #corroborates (0.75)
• Autocorrelation predicts perceived pitch of non-harmonic partial groups #expands (0.75)
• Spectral line structure predicts pitch strength magnitude. #expands (0.72)