LOUDNESS OF SPEAKING: THE EFFECT OF HEARD STIMULI ON SPOKEN RESPONSES
Abstract
A series of experiments determined characteristics of voice that affect the vocal patterns of responding listener-speakers. Summaries of five experiments appear in this report. They treat factors that alter intensity of voice. The data show that in repeating messages that are heard over headsets-- except in the instance of very weak signals--the listener responds with greater intensity as he hears more intense signals. It is also demonstrated that vocal loudness is similarly affected when the speaker is answering questions instead of repeating words. Moreover, the subjects in the experiments were unable to maintain a constant intensity when 'saying back' words that were heard at different levels of amplification. Two amounts of noise background introduced into the headsets of the listeners did not significantly differentiate two levels of vocal response. Messages spoken by males and females elicited different intensities, the female being responded to the louder. This observation may be misleading and arise from non-identical intensity levels in the stimulus materials. Room illumination did not affect the intensity with which the listeners repeated words.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1948
- Accession Number
- AD0647202
Entities
People
- John W. Black
Organizations
- Kenyon College