The role of F3 in the vocal expression of emotions

Abstract

The present study investigates the role of F3 in the perception of valence of emotional expressions by using a vowel [a:] with different F3 values: the original, one with F3 either lowered or raised by 30% in frequency, and one with F3 removed. The vowel [a:] was extracted from the simulated emotions, inverse filtered and manipulated. The resulting 12 synthesized samples were randomized and presented to 30 listeners who evaluated the valence (positiveness/negativeness) of the expressions. The vowel with raised F3 was perceived more often as positive than the sample with original (p = 0.063), lowered (p = 0.006) or removed F3 (p = 0.066). F3 may affect perception of valence if the signal has sufficient energy in high frequency range.

Perception of Emotional Valences and Activity Levels from Vowel Segments of Continuous Speech

“…This material was also used in earlier studies. 16,33,34 From the total number of 450 samples, 200 samples were randomly chosen for the analyses of the present study. It was considered that 200 samples would be the maximum in the perception test that the listeners could reasonably classify without becoming too tired.…”

“…31 Some studies have aimed to shed light on the individual role of the acoustic voice quality 7 in the expressions of emotions and their valence. 6,16,[32][33][34] The results of Laukkanen et al suggested that voice source parameters may vary independently of F0 and intensity in emotional utterances. 4 In a further study by Laukkanen et al 6 the variation in F0, intensity and duration were artificially eliminated.…”

“…Formant frequencies tended to have relevance in valence perception, especially F3 and F4. 32 In another study by Waaramaa et al, 34 the role of F3 was investigated in the perception of valence of emotional expressions. Semisynthetic [a:] vowels with different F3 frequency values were used, the original F3, F3 lowered by 30 %, F3 raised by 30 % in frequency, and F3 totally removed.…”

Monopitched Expression of Emotions in Different Vowels

“…In earlier investigations, formant frequencies (F2-F4) have been found to be higher in positive valence than in negative valence [16,23] ]. The perceptual value of a formant, its loudness, is influenced by the amplitude of the formant and the sensitivity of hearing at the frequency range of the formant.…”

EGG and Acoustic Analyses of Different Voice Samples: Comparison between Perceptual Evaluation and Voice Activity and Participation Profile

“…An intraword vowel [a:] has commonly been used in voice analyses that apply glottal inverse filtering [e.g., [18,19,20]], as well as in some EGG studies [e.g., [21,22,23]]. A reading task to furnish connected speech material has been recommended for research purposes, while spontaneous speech has been recommended for clinical use [24].…”