Perceived differences in social status between speaker and listener affect the speaker’s vocal characteristics
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Fecha
2017
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Plos one, 1932-6203, Vol. 12, Nro. 16, 2017
Publicado por
Public Library of Science
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Abstract
Non-verbal behaviours, including voice characteristics during speech, are an important way
to communicate social status. Research suggests that individuals can obtain high social status through dominance (using force and intimidation) or through prestige (by being knowledgeable and skilful). However, little is known regarding differences in the vocal behaviour
of men and women in response to dominant and prestigious individuals. Here, we tested
within-subject differences in vocal parameters of interviewees during simulated job interviews with dominant, prestigious, and neutral employers (targets), while responding to questions which were classified as introductory, personal, and interpersonal. We found that vocal
modulations were apparent between responses to the neutral and high-status targets, with
participants, especially those who perceived themselves as low in dominance, increasing
fundamental frequency (F0) in response to the dominant and prestigious targets relative to
the neutral target. Self-perceived prestige, however, was less related to contextual vocal
modulations than self-perceived dominance. Finally, we found that differences in the context
of the interview questions participants were asked to respond to (introductory, personal,
interpersonal), also affected their vocal parameters, being more prominent in responses to
personal and interpersonal questions. Overall, our results suggest that people adjust their
vocal parameters according to the perceived social status of the listener as well as their own
self-perceived social status.
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Keywords
Temáticas
Comunicación no verbal
Fonoaudiología
Ajuste social
Fonoaudiología
Ajuste social