Temporal and place theories explain pitch by different neural and mechanical mechanisms.

Evidence

The temporal theory of pitch perception relies on the timing of neural firings generated in the organ of Corti (see Figure 2.3), which occur in response to vibrations of the basilar membrane. The place theory is based on the fact that the basilar membrane is stimulated at different places along its length according to the frequency components in the input sound. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 892

Categorization

• DEFINE: Cleanly contrasts the two classic pitch theories on their core mechanisms.
• XREF: Connects to earlier reading on the anatomy of the cochlea and basilar membrane from Chapter 2. — connects to: Only two classical theories, place and temporal, explain pitch tracking. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 834; Pitch perception is explained by two competing physiological models of the inner ear — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 892