We all hate nails on a chalkboard, but why does it make us so upset? It is just because we dislike the sound, or is there a deeper reason, a factual psychological reason, not just psychological reason we hate this sound and sounds similar to it?
What is it?
The sound of shrillness,commonly noticed as nails on a chalkboard, the sound of a marker, nails on glass,etc. is mostly recognized as the sounds we shudder to when we come into contact with it.
How does it relate?
The unpleasant sound of nails on a chalkboard displays an example of how sound can create emotional , psychological and physical distress. Human's can only handle so much and the frequencies heard when nails are scrapped against a chalkboard are higher than we can handle, hence the covering of our ears when we hear it. Jessey Drake at Boom Box changed the frequency and it actually helped it being able to handle hearing it. The frequency for nails on a chalkboard is between 2000hz and 4000hz, a frequency that is harsh on the person hearing it. Moreso, Cecil Adams writing for The Straight Dope reports it actually being elevated due to the our ear canal increasing sounds we hear. The high pitch squeak of the sound plays a huge part of the sound's awfulness (Reuter.n.d).
These high pitched sounds are not only annoying but have neurological affects, the amygdala's activity where emotions are sorted, increased, determining that this unpleasant sound has unpleasant affects on our emotions. Also, activity in the auditory cortex (where sound is processed) increased as well, determining that these sounds are not just annoying to us, but our brains as well. Interestingly, researchers found that the heart rate increases as well, which leads to anxiety and stress increasing.
Scientists, according to the Smithsonian, hypothesize that we dislike these sounds because it reminds us of screams our ancestors heard when being attacked by predictors was common. It helped to keep us alive by signifying a threat was near. If our brains enjoyed the sounds, we wouldn't run and hide from a threat that was nearby, therefore making survival less likely.
However, also according to the Smithsonian, that theory is not as stable as the theory that these sounds, when heard can cause physical and mental anguish due to the high frequencies being more than the human can handle showing that sounds and their frequencies play a large role in our emotions , and psychological well-being.
However, an interesting note is that when people were aware of knowing they were about to hear the shrilling sound, they reacted more intensely than when told the sound was from music.Perhaps this had to do with behaviorism and conditioning, conditioned to dislike the sound mixed with the sound's frequency as well.
The example of us disliking the shrillness of certain sounds and our bodies and minds having a psychological and physiological effect demonstrates that sounds effect our bodies and our psyche. Anxiety due to different sounds, and the environment around us is not just because we have BPD, depression or anxiety, but because our bodies and minds react to sounds at a physiological level.
The sound of shrillness,commonly noticed as nails on a chalkboard, the sound of a marker, nails on glass,etc. is mostly recognized as the sounds we shudder to when we come into contact with it.
How does it relate?
The unpleasant sound of nails on a chalkboard displays an example of how sound can create emotional , psychological and physical distress. Human's can only handle so much and the frequencies heard when nails are scrapped against a chalkboard are higher than we can handle, hence the covering of our ears when we hear it. Jessey Drake at Boom Box changed the frequency and it actually helped it being able to handle hearing it. The frequency for nails on a chalkboard is between 2000hz and 4000hz, a frequency that is harsh on the person hearing it. Moreso, Cecil Adams writing for The Straight Dope reports it actually being elevated due to the our ear canal increasing sounds we hear. The high pitch squeak of the sound plays a huge part of the sound's awfulness (Reuter.n.d).
These high pitched sounds are not only annoying but have neurological affects, the amygdala's activity where emotions are sorted, increased, determining that this unpleasant sound has unpleasant affects on our emotions. Also, activity in the auditory cortex (where sound is processed) increased as well, determining that these sounds are not just annoying to us, but our brains as well. Interestingly, researchers found that the heart rate increases as well, which leads to anxiety and stress increasing.
Scientists, according to the Smithsonian, hypothesize that we dislike these sounds because it reminds us of screams our ancestors heard when being attacked by predictors was common. It helped to keep us alive by signifying a threat was near. If our brains enjoyed the sounds, we wouldn't run and hide from a threat that was nearby, therefore making survival less likely.
However, also according to the Smithsonian, that theory is not as stable as the theory that these sounds, when heard can cause physical and mental anguish due to the high frequencies being more than the human can handle showing that sounds and their frequencies play a large role in our emotions , and psychological well-being.
However, an interesting note is that when people were aware of knowing they were about to hear the shrilling sound, they reacted more intensely than when told the sound was from music.Perhaps this had to do with behaviorism and conditioning, conditioned to dislike the sound mixed with the sound's frequency as well.
The example of us disliking the shrillness of certain sounds and our bodies and minds having a psychological and physiological effect demonstrates that sounds effect our bodies and our psyche. Anxiety due to different sounds, and the environment around us is not just because we have BPD, depression or anxiety, but because our bodies and minds react to sounds at a physiological level.
References
Drake, J. (n.d.). Cringe-Worthy: The Fingernails on a Chalkboard Effect. Retrieved December 17, 2017, from https://www.boomboxpost.com/blog/2016/1/23/cringe-worthy-the-fingernails-on-a-chalkboard-effect
Reuter, C. (2017, June 30). Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking. Retrieved December 17, 2017, from http://exploresound.org/psychoacoustics-chalkboard-squeaking/
Reuter, Christoph. "Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking." Asa.scitation.org. 201110. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.3655174>
Stromberg, J. "What Is the Most Annoying Sound in the World?." Smithsonian. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-the-most-annoying-sound-in-the-world-75317235/>
N.a. "Research duo uncovers clues about why 'fingernails across a chalkboard' is so horrible." Medicalxpress.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-duo-uncovers-clues-fingernails-chalkboard.html>
N.a. "4pPP6. Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking." Asa.aip.org. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://asa.aip.org/web2/asa/abstracts/search.oct11/asa888.html>
Acoustiblok Inc.. "Acoustical Solutions | Soundproofing Material | Acoustical Solutions Blog | psychoacoustics." Info.acoustiblok.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://info.acoustiblok.com/blog/topic/psychoacoustics>
Delgado, J. "Why do some sounds send chills? Psychology Spot." Psychology Spot. 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://psychology-spot.com/noises-that-sends-chills/>
N.a. "Sound 101 :: Bad Vibes." Sound101.org. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.sound101.org/badvibes/horriblesound.php?factoid=fingernails>
Adams, C. "What’s so awful about nails on a chalkboard?." The Straight Dope. 20 Oct. 2017. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3363/what-s-so-awful-about-nails-on-a-chalkboard/>
Geggel, L. "Fingernails on a Chalkboard: Why This Sound Gives You the Shivers." Live Science. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://www.livescience.com/57106-why-fingernails-on-chalkboard-hurts.html>
Alton Parrish. "Psychoacoustics Of Chalkboard Squeaking: How Sounds Can Make Your Skin Crawl." Ineffableisland.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.ineffableisland.com/2011/10/psychoacoustics-of-chalkboard-squeaking.html>
Blevins,M. "Why Do Fingernails on a Chalkboard or Scraping on a Plate Make Us Cringe?." Today I Found Out. 6 May 2014. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/05/fingernails-chalkboard-scraping-plate-make-us-cringe/>
Boyd, George Felix. "Auditory Irritants and Impalpable Pain." Taylor & Francis. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00221309.1959.9710213>
Sasek
"Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?". "Sasek
'Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?'." Sasek
"Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?". n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://sasekevomedicine.weebly.com/>
Drake, J. (n.d.). Cringe-Worthy: The Fingernails on a Chalkboard Effect. Retrieved December 17, 2017, from https://www.boomboxpost.com/blog/2016/1/23/cringe-worthy-the-fingernails-on-a-chalkboard-effect
Reuter, C. (2017, June 30). Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking. Retrieved December 17, 2017, from http://exploresound.org/psychoacoustics-chalkboard-squeaking/
Reuter, Christoph. "Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking." Asa.scitation.org. 201110. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.3655174>
Stromberg, J. "What Is the Most Annoying Sound in the World?." Smithsonian. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-the-most-annoying-sound-in-the-world-75317235/>
N.a. "Research duo uncovers clues about why 'fingernails across a chalkboard' is so horrible." Medicalxpress.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-duo-uncovers-clues-fingernails-chalkboard.html>
N.a. "4pPP6. Psychoacoustics of chalkboard squeaking." Asa.aip.org. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://asa.aip.org/web2/asa/abstracts/search.oct11/asa888.html>
Acoustiblok Inc.. "Acoustical Solutions | Soundproofing Material | Acoustical Solutions Blog | psychoacoustics." Info.acoustiblok.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://info.acoustiblok.com/blog/topic/psychoacoustics>
Delgado, J. "Why do some sounds send chills? Psychology Spot." Psychology Spot. 7 Dec. 2016. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://psychology-spot.com/noises-that-sends-chills/>
N.a. "Sound 101 :: Bad Vibes." Sound101.org. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.sound101.org/badvibes/horriblesound.php?factoid=fingernails>
Adams, C. "What’s so awful about nails on a chalkboard?." The Straight Dope. 20 Oct. 2017. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3363/what-s-so-awful-about-nails-on-a-chalkboard/>
Geggel, L. "Fingernails on a Chalkboard: Why This Sound Gives You the Shivers." Live Science. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <https://www.livescience.com/57106-why-fingernails-on-chalkboard-hurts.html>
Alton Parrish. "Psychoacoustics Of Chalkboard Squeaking: How Sounds Can Make Your Skin Crawl." Ineffableisland.com. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.ineffableisland.com/2011/10/psychoacoustics-of-chalkboard-squeaking.html>
Blevins,M. "Why Do Fingernails on a Chalkboard or Scraping on a Plate Make Us Cringe?." Today I Found Out. 6 May 2014. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/05/fingernails-chalkboard-scraping-plate-make-us-cringe/>
Boyd, George Felix. "Auditory Irritants and Impalpable Pain." Taylor & Francis. n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00221309.1959.9710213>
Sasek
"Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?". "Sasek
'Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?'." Sasek
"Why Do Humans Flinch at High- Pitch Sounds?". n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2017. <http://sasekevomedicine.weebly.com/>