Auditory System


Like taste, the auditory system employs a combination of innate dispositions and learning mechanisms.

(POSSIBLY) INNATE e.g.: auditory cuteness
  • resonator approximately 25 ml in size

  • evokes nurturing & protection

  • generalizes to non-infant sounds
    (e.g. music boxes, toys, ocarinas, sopranino recorders)


(PROBABLY) LEARNED e.g.: sex determination
  • walking sounds (Li, Logan & Pastore, 1991)

  • learning is motivated by (presumed) innate tendency for sex determination






Copyright © 2000 David Huron