No matter the complexity of the estimated 7,000 human
languages on Earth, animal instincts still play a big role in how we
communicate, according to new research from University College London.
Men prefer the shrill voices that show small body size,
while women prefer low voices because they show greater body size, although
women do not care about the voices that show aggression, according to a study
published today in the journal
Animal Instincts and the human voice
In nature, animals determine the type and behavior of other
animals by the frequency, quality, and distance formant or resonance, the
sounds they make.
For example, a shallow grunt usually indicates a large
animal and domination or an imminent attack signals. On the other hand, the
pure tones, such as those manufactured by buzzing insects, indicate small body
sizes, submission and fear, according to the researchers.
However, researchers from University College London wanted
to know how the qualities of the human voice affect the way we estimate the
size and attractiveness of a person.
The researchers used pre-recorded statements of both males
and females and asked participants to judge the attractiveness of the speaker
and the emotions displayed. The researchers modified the middle height, and
formant dispersion slope field of voice to reflect the different dimensions of
the body.
Their study found that men find women's voices that indicate
a smaller body-acute blown voice with a wide spacing the most attractive form.
Women, however, prefer to hear a low-pitched voice with a
gap forming narrow, reflecting a larger size. This is why something that women
look for in a quality partner and probably a third of Barry White Album sales.
However, low voice, with a spacing of short forms is usually
interpreted as aggressive, which may explain why women also prefer a breath in
the voice of their potential suitors.
"Despite the development of complex language, the human
vocal interactions still use some animal instincts," the authors conclude.
