Emotional Vocalisations PDF

Emotional Vocalisations 18 January 2024 08:58 Main Ideas Notes Notes Notes Types of Laughter Basic emotion Vocalisations Vocal correlates of the Basic Emotion facial expressions (Scott et al., 1997) Emotions from the voice Focused on nonverbal emotional vocalisations Ekman suggested may be more ‘bas...

Emotional Vocalisations 18 January 2024 08:58 Main Ideas Notes Notes Notes Types of Laughter Basic emotion Vocalisations Vocal correlates of the Basic Emotion facial expressions (Scott et al., 1997) Emotions from the voice Focused on nonverbal emotional vocalisations Ekman suggested may be more ‘basic’ emotions than those in face Acoustic cues to emotional properties All emotional vocalizations have distinct profiles (except for pleasure/contentment) Important role for spectral change – correlating negatively with negative emotions and positively with positive expressions Arousal sounds = short + high-pitched Valence doesn't have much acoustic cues Positive emotions in the voice - Ekman's argument Yes for laughter, possibly relief Human laughter Highly social Provine's Findings Ask people what makes them laugh, they’ll talk about jokes and humour Look at when they laugh – laugh most in conversation People laugh, on average, 7 times per ten minutes of conversation (Vettin & Todt, 2004) Laugh more if know other people Behavioural contagion Response when people hear laughter Importance of Contagion Many animals show contagion E.g. yawning (dogs, apes, budgerigars) Can be quite complex (e.g. scratching in Orangutans) Contagious laughter has only be shown in humans Acoustic/Phonetic differences ‘spontaneous’ laughs are longer, higher in pitch ‘volitional’ laughs are more nasal Perception can be modulated by facial information (Lavan et al, 2015). Perception can be modulated by individual differences (Neves et al, 2018) Summary Emotional expressions are manifested through faces and voices, with special attention given to nonverbal expressions like fear. Laughter is presented as a core case study, examined from the perspective of its various kinds, neural basis, and evolution. Laughter serves multiple functions: as part of identity, emotional response, and speech patterns. Facial expressions of basic emotions including anger, surprise, disgust, happiness, fear, and sadness are core to Ekman's theory, yet laughter is suggested to be a positive basic emotion linked with expressions like triumph and relief. Distinct acoustic profiles were identified for emotional vocalizations, with spectral change playing a pivotal role in distinguishing between positive and negative emotions. Nonverbal emotional vocalizations are likened to animal calls rather than speech, often being involuntary and reflective of physiological changes. Laughter is highly contagious and social, mirroring behaviors seen in other species such as yawning and scratching. Spontaneous laughter differs acoustically from volitional laughter, being longer and higher in pitch, and perceptions of laughter can be influenced by facial information and individual differences. People classify laughter they hear, finding genuine laughter identifiable and meaningful, implying that laughter always conveys a certain significance. The impact of genuine laughter on the brain was observed in various studies, indicating engagement in specific neural regions. The study outlined how laughter contributes to social bonding, citing the quote "laughter is the shortest distance between two people" by Victor Borge, and notes its effectiveness in bridging interpersonal gaps. PSYC0010 Social Psychology Page 1 ○ Volitional vs. Spontaneous Laughter: ▪ Laughter can be categorized into 'volitional' (controlled, social) and 'spontaneous' (genuine, emotional). ▪ These types differ in their acoustic properties and in the brain regions activated during their production and perception. Neural Basis and Evolution of Laughter ○ Brain Imaging Studies: ▪ Functional imaging studies show different brain areas are activated during the perception and production of different types of laughter. ▪ These findings provide insights into how laughter evolved as a social and emotional tool. Social Uses of Laughter ○ Laughter in Conversation: ▪ Laughter is predominantly a social signal, often occurring in conversations. ▪ It serves various functions such as signalling understanding, agreement, or as a tool to manage conversations and social interactions. Laughter and Play ○ Association with Play: ▪ Laughter is closely linked to play behavior, a connection seen across various species. ▪ This relationship highlights laughter's role in social bonding and communication. Research on Laughter Contagion ○ Contagious Nature of Laughter: ▪ Studies show that laughter has a contagious effect, similar to other behaviors like yawning. ▪ This contagion plays a crucial role in social bonding and group dynamics. Acoustic and Phonetic Differences in Laughter ○ Analysis of Laughter Types: ▪ Research reveals that spontaneous laughter is generally longer and higher in pitch compared to volitional laughter. ▪ These differences are not just perceptible but also influence how laughter is received and interpreted by others. Notes Notes PSYC0010 Social Psychology Page 2 Notes PSYC0010 Social Psychology Page 3 Notes Notes PSYC0010 Social Psychology Page 4 PSYC0010 Social Psychology Page 5