In this activity, students listen to an auditory illusion on speakers and participate in a discussion. From this activity, students can discover how auditory illusions are based on confounding assumptions and patterns that we interpret based on our personal experiences.
Auditory Illusion (Phantom Words)
Objectives
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Understand that auditory information is processed in the brain.
Materials
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Per Student or small Group:
Computer or mobile device with speakers (or headphones if using as a station-less ideal)
Pen
Paper
Key Questions
- What did you hear?
- What stood out to you?
- Why do you think everyone heard different words?
- What are some factors in a person’s life that might influence the words that you hear?
What To Do
- Invite students to close their eyes.
- Invite students to listen to the Phantom Words recording.
- Ask students to write down what they hear on a sheet of paper as an individual activity.
- After the activity, lead a discussion focusing on a few key questions:
- What stood out to you?
- Did you hear certain words?
- Why do you think you heard what you heard?
Post-activity Discussion Information
People will often hear words that are related to what is on their minds (e.g. people that are hungry might hear food-related words.) Also, depending on your native language, you may hear words in that language.
This auditory illusion occurs because of the brain’s tendency to interpret information/stimuli in meaningful words or phrases. This is the same way that the brain may see images or figures in a cloudy sky and the same way that the brain may see images in a Rorschach (ink blot) test.
Extensions
- Create your own auditory illusion and test it on other students or your family.
Other Resources
ASAPScience | Can you trust your Ears? (Auditory Illusion)
Phantom Words and Other Curiosities | Diana Deutsch