Communication of emotions in vocal expression and music performance : Different channels, same code?

• Many authors have speculated about a close relationship between vocal expression of emotions and musical expression of emotions, but evidence bearing on this relationship has unfortunately been lacking. A review of 104 studies of vocal expression and 41 studies of music performance revealed similarities between the two channels concerning (a) the accuracy with which discrete emotions were communicated to listeners and (b) the emotion-specific patterns of acoustic cues used to communicate each emotion. The patterns are generally consistent with Scherer’s (1986) theoretical predictions. The results can explain why music is perceived as expressive of emotion and are consistent with an evolutionary perspective on vocal expression of emotions. Discussion focuses on hypotheses and directions for future research.

Nyckelord

vocal expression

emotion

music performance

expression

decoding

Psychology

Psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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