Unique Perceptions

Unique Perceptions

Perception is a universal human trait having influence on behavior however, in some individuals the pitch or tone of a human voice has a unique affect. Tone can produce pleasure from music or a variety of different emotional responses depending on perception of quality. A sound or tone may be music to one's ears or may be harsh and uncomfortable to another. Culture is a major influence on this perception as well as environment. The brain and the neurological mechanism for interpreting tone also have an influence on this perception and differences do exist from person to person. The difference in interpretation can and does produce stress in individuals. The question then arises as to how to deal with stress coming from tone. The southern United States specifically the Texas region produce personalities, which rely on smoothness of tone in conversation, straightforward honesty and manners at the dinner table. What happens when a Texas male sensitive to tone relocates to the island country of Japan?

The Neurological Mechanism

Before beginning an explanation of the author's unique perception of sound an explanation of the norm or universal way the brain interprets sound is necessary.

Andre Roussin (n.d.,) defines hearing in the physical sense as transduction of the molecules in the air to signals of electricity in the brain. These signals are then converted to what we think of as sound. (How we hear, p.1)

Andre Roussin (n.d.,) explains the first receptor of sound is the ear, which channels sound by the auditory nerve to an area, known as the cochlear nucleus. A majority of these signals then reach the superior olivary complex, which helps determine the direction of the sound. The olivary complex then transmits messages to the inferior colliculus at an area in the midbrain. A majority of the sound messages are at this time on the side of the brain, which is opposite the ear the sound originally came from. The sound messages go through the thalamus and then to the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex. In the cerebral cortex, the sound is then broken into the various details of the sound and our perception of them. (Sound in the brain, p.1)

Unique Perception

As long as I can remember, I have been extremely sensitive to tone of voice. However, certainly I am particularly sensitive to differences in vocal patterns. As a native Texan, I am conditioned to feel comfortable to slow almost lyrical speech that is the custom of the southern United States. Now I live in Japan and have done so for the last fifteen years. I can speak the Japanese language to a degree but even now still miss the meaning of many conversations. The result of living in a foreign language environment without full understanding of the language is relying on tone for interpretation of the feeling aspect of conversation. The local language of my area is Osaka dialect. The tone of this speech in casual conversation is often harsh to my Texas ears. In sharp contrast, the formal speech of Japanese females on the phone or in public is full of politeness. However, I have begun to hate the sound. Japanese females are taught to raise their vocal tone to a high pitch on the phone or in public speaking. The tone is high and sounds unnatural to me and full of falsehood.

Stress is the result of sensitivity to tone. To deal with stress I do my best to focus on the fact that people are like me in their wants and needs and are subject to their culture. In addition, I consciously examine the output of my senses with logic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although the neurological processes are physical in the process of sound there are other influences. The childhood environment is a major factor in interpretation of tone. Culture plays a major part in how brains interpret sound and whether that interpretation if real or not. Stress results from sensitivity to tone of voice and dealing with stress requires careful consideration of the interpretation of sensory perception. The world is full of people who are different and to be sensitive in perception should be of great benefit and not cause racial conflict or discrimination.

References

Andre, (n.d.). How we hear, Retrieved February 17, 2008 from

http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/

UBNRP/Audition/site/andre.html

Brain, (n.d.). Sound in the brain, Retrieved February 17, 2008 from

http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/

UBNRP/Audition/site/brain.html