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This interesting monograph is concerned fundamentally with the application of the Gestalt theory to brain physiology. More specifically, the question investigated is whether acoustic stimuli of different sorts go to different parts of the cortical auditory center, and whether different sounds excite specific areas within the auditory centers of the cortex. Börnstein says that neither the auditory centers nor the auditory tracts are differentiated for different sounds; that is, the auditory gyri in the cortex contain no centers for tone qualities (clearness, volume, etc.), nor do they contain centers for pitch.
He emphasizes what he calls the principle of concentric narrowing. In an injury of a part of the auditory cortex (the transverse gyri of one or both hemispheres), the rest of the auditory cortex takes over the function of the whole, but in a diminished way according to a definite principle. The best heard, most important tone range biologically