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Journal ArticleDOI

The Pattern of Vocal Signals and the Information They Convey

Amotz Zahavi1
01 Jan 1982-Behaviour (Brill)-Vol. 80, Iss: 1, pp 1-8
TL;DR: The vocal signal is an indicator of the posture and movement of the signaller at the time of vocalization, hence it reveals, by an additional modality, information about the P.M. of theSignaller.
Abstract: 1. The vocal signal is an indicator of the posture and movement (P.M.) of the signaller at the time of vocalization, hence it reveals, by an additional modality, information about the P. M. of the signaller. 2. The vocal signal is a reliable indicator of the motivation of the signaller because cheating would incur the cost of changing the P.M. away from the optimal P.M. for the real motivation. 3. Certain vocal patterns discriminate better than others small differences in the motivation of individuals. 4. The vocal signal which conveys a certain motivation is dependent on a) the strategy used to solve a particular conflict; b) the kind of reliable information which may resolve the conflict; c) the P.M. which conveys best such information; d) the vocal pattern which enables the listener to distinguish between signallers which differ slightly in their motivation.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A "component patterning" model of vocal affect expression is proposed that attempts to rink the outcomes of antecedent event evaluation to biologically based response patterns and may help to stimulate hypothesis-guided research as well as provide a framework for the development of appropriate research paradigms.
Abstract: In reviewing the literature on the vocal expression of emotion, a discrepancy between reported high accuracy in vocal-auditory recognition and the lack of clear evidence for the acoustic differentiation of vocal expression is noted. The latter is explained by (a) a paucity of research on voice quality, (b) neglect of the social signaling functions of affect vocalization, and (c) insufficiently precise conceptualization of the underlying emotional states. A "component patterning" model of vocal affect expression is proposed that attempts to rink the outcomes of antecedent event evaluation to biologically based response patterns. On the basis of a literature survey of acoustic-phonetic evidence, the likely phonatory and articulatory correlates of the physiological responses characterizing different emotional states are described in the form of three major voice types (narrow-wide, lax-tense, full-thin). Specific predictions are made as to the changes in acoustic parameters resulting from changing voice types. These predictions are compared with the pattern of empirical findings yielded by a comprehensive survey of the literature on vocal cues in emotional expression. Although the comparison is largely limited to the tense-lax voice type (because acoustic parameters relevant to the other voice types have not yet been systematically studied), a high degree of convergence is revealed. It is suggested that the model may help to stimulate hypothesis-guided research as well as provide a framework for the development of appropriate research paradigms.

1,479 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper reviews the existing literature on vocal correlates of emotions in mammals and suggests non-human mammals could serve as ideal models to study vocal expression of emotions, because animal vocalizations are assumed to be largely free of control and therefore direct expressions of underlying emotions.
Abstract: Emotions play a crucial role in an animal's life because they facilitate responses to external or internal events of significance for the organism. In social species, one of the main functions of emotional expression is to regulate social interactions. There has recently been a surge of interest in animal emotions in several disciplines, ranging from neuroscience to evolutionary zoology. Because measurements of subjective emotional experiences are not possible in animals, researchers use neurophysiological, behavioural and cognitive indicators. However, good indicators, particularly of positive emotions, are still lacking. Vocalizations are linked to the inner state of the caller. The emotional state of the caller causes changes in the muscular tension and action of its vocal apparatus, which in turn, impacts on vocal parameters of vocalizations. By considering the mode of production of vocalizations, we can understand and predict how vocal parameters should change according to the arousal (intensity) or valence (positive/negative) of emotional states. In this paper, I review the existing literature on vocal correlates of emotions in mammals. Non-human mammals could serve as ideal models to study vocal expression of emotions, because, contrary to human speech, animal vocalizations are assumed to be largely free of control and therefore direct expressions of underlying emotions. Furthermore, a comparative approach between humans and other animals would give us a better understanding of how emotion expression evolved. Additionally, these non-invasive indicators could serve various disciplines that require animal emotions to be clearly identified, including psychopharmacology and animal welfare science.

349 citations


Cites background from "The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..."

  • ...attack, retreat), and not directly to its emotional state (Zahavi, 1982)....

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  • ...Motivation states differ from emotions in the sense that they refer to the likelihood that an animal would perform a certain behaviour (e.g. attack, retreat), and not directly to its emotional state (Zahavi, 1982)....

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01 Jan 1987

227 citations


Cites background from "The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..."

  • ...This argument is based on ethological considerations concerning the best strategy of a confident fighter (which seems to be relaxation; see Zahavi, 1982, and Scherer, 1985a, p. 213, for a more detailed discussion of this important point)....

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Book
01 Dec 1988
TL;DR: A new approach to finding Components Essential for Intraspecific Communication is found and Serial Calling as a Mediator of Interaction Processes is described.
Abstract: Comparative and Field Studies.- Vocal Communication in Primates and Birds: Parallels and Contrasts.- Vocal Quavering: A Basis for Recognition in Forest Guenons.- An Analysis of Toque Macaque Cohesion Calls from an Ecological Perspective.- Environmental Influences on the Structure of Primate Vocalizations.- Social Interactions.- A New Approach to Finding Components Essential for Intraspecific Communication.- Serial Calling as a Mediator of Interaction Processes: Crying in Primates.- Communications as Social Interaction: Its Importance in Ontogeny and Adult Behavior.- Conversational Vocal Exchanges in Squirrel Monkeys.- Vocal Play Behavior in Cotton-Top Tamarins.- Biological Substrates.- Ethopharmacology of Vocal Behavior in Primates.- Neural Basis of Signal Detection.- Central Control of Monkey Calls.- Conceptual Frameworks.- Primate Vocal Expression of Affective State.- Neurobiology and Pathology of Subhuman Vocal Communication and Human Speech.- Glossary of Terms.

225 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Relationships between song structure and social context suggest that some features, such as the rattle, might have originally evolved to serve in male-male interactions; a female preference may have further promoted song evolution leading to complex syllable repertoires.

189 citations


Cites background from "The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..."

  • ...Lower frequency sounds may be effective indicators of relaxation, a motivational rule linked to dominant individuals (large size and optimal health conditions) in conspecific contests (Zahavi 1982; Sullivan & Leek 1986, 1987)....

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References
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Book
01 Jan 1872
TL;DR: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals Introduction to the First Edition and Discussion Index, by Phillip Prodger and Paul Ekman.
Abstract: Acknowledgments List of Illustrations Figures Plates Preface to the Anniversary Edition by Paul Ekman Preface to the Third Edition by Paul Ekman Preface to the Second Edition by Francis Darwin Introduction to the Third Edition by Paul Ekman The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals Introduction to the First Edition 1. General Principles of Expression 2. General Principles of Expression -- continued 3. General Principles of Expression -- continued 4. Means of Expression in Animals 5. Special Expressions of Animals 6. Special Expressions of Man: Suffering and Weeping 7. Low Spirits, Anxiety, Grief, Dejection, Despair 8. Joy, High Spirits, Love, Tender Feelings, Devotion 9. Reflection - Meditation - Ill-temper - Sulkiness - Determination 10. Hatred and Anger 11. Disdain - Contempt - Disgust - Guilt - Pride, Etc. - Helplessness - Patience - Affirmation and Negation 12. Surprise - Astonishment - Fear - Horror 13. Self-attention - Shame - Shyness - Modesty: Blushing 14. Concluding Remarks and Summary Afterword, by Paul Ekman APPENDIX I: Charles Darwin's Obituary, by T. H. Huxley APPENDIX II: Changes to the Text, by Paul Ekman APPENDIX III: Photography and The Expression of the Emotions, by Phillip Prodger APPENDIX IV: A Note on the Orientation of the Plates, by Phillip Prodger and Paul Ekman APPENDIX V: Concordance of Illustrations, by Phillip Prodger APPENDIX VI: List of Head Words from the Index to the First Edition NOTES NOTES TO THE COMMENTARIES INDEX

9,342 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Amotz Zahavi1
TL;DR: It is suggested that characters which develop through mate preference confer handicaps on the selected individuals in their survival, which are of use to the selecting sex since they test the quality of the mate.

4,744 citations


"The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Hence cheating by the use of a relaxed vocal signal demands a high cost (ZAHAVI, 1975) from the signaller....

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  • ...I consider their findings one of the best cases which support the handicap principle (ZAHAVI, 1975, 1977a)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a theoretical analysis is made of the evolution of behavioral strategies in contest situations, and it is concluded that in asymmetric contests the ESS is likely to be a "mixed" strategy; that is, either the population will be genetically polymorphic or individuals will be behaviourally variable.

1,750 citations


"The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Conflicts are often resolved without fighting, one party winning the dispute and the other losing it by the exchange of threats alone (MAYNARD-SMITH & PARKER, 1976)....

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Journal ArticleDOI

1,032 citations


"The Pattern of Vocal Signals and th..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The same investment in energy by different individuals is not necessarily involved with the same cost in fitness (ZAHAVI, 1977b)....

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  • ...I consider their findings one of the best cases which support the handicap principle (ZAHAVI, 1975, 1977a)....

    [...]