Vocalics

Vocalics

I. Development

By 5 years old children are interpreting emotion by voice, ability increase up to age 12

Men have deeper voices than women, and the differences in the U. S. cannot be explained by their physiology (e.g., the way their throats and mouths make sounds)

Socialization: power and pitch.

II. Interpretation of Voice

Less controllable than face, more leaking

Voice qualities, vocalizations, accents

Interpretations from voice

Attitudes less accurate than those from face

Emotion - similar levels (tone is a key - content free speech)

anger and fear - higher pitch and faster rate.

Deception - better from voice

more speaking errors, slower rate, discourse analysis

interpretations from both face and voice are even more accurate.

Less expressive voice - more power (keep people guessing?)

People think men interrupt more but the research does not support that for vocalic interruptions.

30% correctly identified own voice on tape - external vs internal voice

Silence – ambiguity.

Negative: fear, disgust, anger, hiding

Positive: bonding, comfort, thinking/evaluating

III. Voice qualities

Extremes in tone and pitch disliked - DJs are midrange without extremes.

Breathy voices - males seen as young, artistic, not credible. Females seen as sexy, not credible.

McDonald Douglas - voice warning pilots (males) to put down landing gear without alarming them - breathy female voice (HAL in 2001)

Flatness - lack of variation, seen as masculine, cold, unfeeling.

High pitch and nasality are viewed negatively. Low pitched voices are seen as more credible and more seductive (esp. for females)

Speaking Rate - increase rate is perceived as extroverted, animated, credible (up to a point) and increases comprehension and retention (note taking?)

We can hear and comprehend up to 3 times faster than we can speak

normal rage - 125-190 words per minute retention good up to 275

pauses between words regulates rate ums and ahs maintain turn (vocalization)

People talk faster when anxious

Accents - How do you perceive them?

Chicago - radio voice

New York, Boston, Philadelphia rated for highest for credibility

People tend to prefer their own accent group

IV. Interaction Variables - topic, personality (sex roles), other

Topics

Speech disturbances increase with embarrassing topic or dislike other
(ums ahs ers)

When confident of topic, self and other - faster rate, shorter pauses, louder volume
(perceived as more forceful, active, competent and self-assured)

males fit this pattern more often

Talk time -- more talk leads to perceptions of more credibility (to a point)

If you talk 80% of the time you will be seen as domineering, outgoing and selfish

If you talk 50% of the time, you will be seen as likeable and warm

If you talk 20% of the time, submissive and unintelligent

Positive feedback increase length of interaction

Psychotic and neurotic people talk less.

Interruptions

Power

No sex differences

Persuasion --

People who are trying to persuade talk louder and faster and are perceived as more credible

many time females gain credibility by acting “feminine.”

Regulation/Interaction Management

Raising and falling inflections - end of conversations

Pauses - filled and unfilled, keeping the floor

V. Cultural differences -

Many vocalic expressions of emotion are cross-cultural

Japanese and Polish were able to accurately judge American tone.
Biggest differences in expressions of happiness and flirtation.

Japanese and Polish accents are negatively perceived by Americans,
British positive.

Much of this is changing with new travel patterns (people coming to US)

Activity

Use a letter from the alphabet to express:

Anger

Fear

Happiness

Jealousy

Love

Nervousness

Pride

Sadness

Satisfaction

Sympathy

Correct identifications in order from most accurate to least: