Final answer:
A theory hypothesizing that in order to interpret music, a person would have to hear many versions of the sound is situated in cognitive psychology and auditory perception. Research by Thomas Fritz illustrates some aspects of music may be universal, but exposure enhances nuanced appreciation and interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory suggesting that a person would have to hear many versions of a sound to interpret music aligns with research from cognitive psychology and auditory perception. An example of such research is the study conducted by Thomas Fritz of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, who found that even without prior exposure, the Mafa tribal members could recognize basic emotions in Western music. This indicates that certain aspects of music could be universal. However, the complexity of music appreciation and the ability to discern its nuanced qualities most likely increase with exposure to a wider variety of sounds, as interpretation relies heavily on the brain's perceptual mechanisms that develop with experience.
Music is a complex mix of frequencies, and its pleasantness often arises from the superposition of waves and the combination of different frequencies from various instruments and voices. Exposing oneself to multiple sounds can enhance the ability to parse out and enjoy this complexity. This principle is mirrored in pitch perception theories like temporal theory and place theory, which explain how we discern pitch through the activity level of sensory neurons or the specific areas of the cochlea that are stimulated, respectively. Major factors influencing musical interpretation therefore include cognitive processes related to perceptual psychology and auditory neuroscience.