scholarly journals Predicting strength from aggressive vocalizations versus speech in African bushland and urban communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1840) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Kleisner ◽  
Juan David Leongómez ◽  
Katarzyna Pisanski ◽  
Vojtěch Fiala ◽  
Clément Cornec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Hunter Gatherers ◽  
Acoustic Structure ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Acoustic Correlates

The human voice carries information about a vocalizer's physical strength that listeners can perceive and that may influence mate choice and intrasexual competition. Yet, reliable acoustic correlates of strength in human speech remain unclear. Compared to speech, aggressive nonverbal vocalizations (roars) may function to maximize perceived strength, suggesting that their acoustic structure has been selected to communicate formidability, similar to the vocal threat displays of other animals. Here, we test this prediction in two non-WEIRD African samples: an urban community of Cameroonians and rural nomadic Hadza hunter–gatherers in the Tanzanian bushlands. Participants produced standardized speech and volitional roars and provided handgrip strength measures. Using acoustic analysis and information-theoretic multi-model inference and averaging techniques, we show that strength can be measured from both speech and roars, and as predicted, strength is more reliably gauged from roars than vowels, words or greetings. The acoustic structure of roars explains 40–70% of the variance in actual strength within adults of either sex. However, strength is predicted by multiple acoustic parameters whose combinations vary by sex, sample and vocal type. Thus, while roars may maximally signal strength, more research is needed to uncover consistent and likely interacting acoustic correlates of strength in the human voice. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Voice modulation: from origin and mechanism to social impact (Part I)’.

scholarly journals On the complexity of assimilation in urban communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renita Murimi
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Sociological Perspective ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Information Theoretic Measures ◽  
Urban Complex ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractCities are microcosms representing a diversity of human experience. The complexity of urban systems arises from this diversity, where the services that cities offer to their inhabitants have to be tailored for their unique requirements. This paper studies the complexity of urban environments in terms of the assimilation of its communities. We examine the urban assimilation complexity with respect to the foreignness between communities and formalize the level of complexity using information-theoretic measures. Our findings contribute to a sociological perspective of the relationship between urban complex systems and the diversity of communities that make up urban systems.

scholarly journals Common Terminology and Acoustic Measures for Human Voice and Birdsong

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
Areen Badwal ◽  
JoHanna Poertner ◽  
Robin A. Samlan ◽  
Julie E. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Acoustic Measures ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Song Analysis ◽  
Core Set ◽  
Standard Terminology ◽  
Cepstral Peak Prominence ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Purpose The zebra finch is used as a model to study the neural circuitry of auditory-guided human vocal production. The terminology of birdsong production and acoustic analysis, however, differs from human voice production, making it difficult for voice researchers of either species to navigate the literature from the other. The purpose of this research note is to identify common terminology and measures to better compare information across species. Method Terminology used in the birdsong literature will be mapped onto terminology used in the human voice production literature. Measures typically used to quantify the percepts of pitch, loudness, and quality will be described. Measures common to the literature in both species will be made from the songs of 3 middle-age birds using Praat and Song Analysis Pro. Two measures, cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and Wiener entropy (WE), will be compared to determine if they provide similar information. Results Similarities and differences in terminology and acoustic analyses are presented. A core set of measures including frequency, frequency variability within a syllable, intensity, CPP, and WE are proposed for future studies. CPP and WE are related yet provide unique information about the syllable structure. Conclusions Using a core set of measures familiar to both human voice and birdsong researchers, along with both CPP and WE, will allow characterization of similarities and differences among birds. Standard terminology and measures will improve accessibility of the birdsong literature to human voice researchers and vice versa. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7438964

The Evolution of Voice Perception

2019 ◽  
pp. 268-300
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Pisanski ◽  
Gregory A. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Voice Perception ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Human Voice

The human voice is a rich source of information and an important means of interpersonal communication. Beginning with Darwin (1872), nonverbal vocal communication has long interested evolutionary scientists, and in the last quarter century empirical research on voice production and perception from an evolutionary perspective has increased dramatically. One reason for this surge of interest is that behavioral ecologists and evolutionary psychologists have taken advantage of recent technological improvements in acoustic analysis software as well as sound recording and reproduction devices. More importantly, many voice researchers have recognized that the extraction of biologically relevant information from the vocal channel constitutes a set of adaptive problems widely shared across many species. Evolutionary scientists studying human vocal behavior therefore have a rich theoretical framework and an established comparative basis for developing specific research questions. For any vocal species, including humans, we should expect perceptual adaptations designed to process acoustic features of the vocal sounds of conspecifics (other individuals of the same species). An evolutionary approach provides a framework for specifying the nature of these adaptive perceptual problems. In this chapter, the authors describe recent work focusing on human voice perception from an evolutionary perspective and provide examples of the value of this approach for gaining a full understanding of this fundamental aspect of human behavior.

Temporal and Acoustic Correlates in Vocal Exchange of Coo Calls in Japanese Macaques

Behaviour ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 124 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 207-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Sugiura
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Short Interval ◽  
Japanese Macaques ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Acoustic Parameters ◽  
Acoustic Correlates ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Female Japanese Macaques ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Do So

AbstractVocal exchanges of coo calls in female Japanese macaques were observed in two populations. Temporal patterns of occurrence of these vocalizations during vocal interaction were studied by analyzing inter-call intervals between two consecutive coos. When the second call was uttered by a different caller from the first (DC sequence), most of the second calls occurred at intervals shorter than approximately 0.8 sec, and the remaining ones at intervals longer than approximately 0.8 sec. These results indicate that the second coos of DC sequence are of two different types, and that second calls separated by short intervals may occur in response to the first call, whereas second calls separated by a relatively longer interval may occur independently of the preceding call. When an animal responds to a coo given by another, she appears to do so within a certain period of time. When two consecutiove calls were uttered by the same caller (SC sequence), the second coos rarely occurred within 0.8 sec, but mostly at longer intervals. These results suggest that when an animal utters a coo spontaneously, it remains silent for a short interval and when no response occurs, she is likely to give further coos addressing groups members. Acoustic analysis of two consecutive coos in DC sequence showed that the second coos given by a different caller and occurring within 0.8 sec significantly correlated with those of first coos with respect to several acoustic parameters. This correlation was not observed when coos occurred at intervals of more than 0.8 sec. This phenomenon was confirmed by a playback experiment. The results suggest the possibility that an animal is able to alter acoustic features of responding coos and matches those of preceding coos.

scholarly journals Social Impact of Foreign Immigrants on Urban Communities. Case Study: Taman Taming Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (SI2) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi ◽  
Farah Fazlina Fauzi ◽  
Oliver Hoon Leh Ling ◽  
Yusfida Ayu Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Family Relationship ◽  
The Social ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
The Relationship

This study examines the social impact of foreign immigrants on urban communities in Taman Taming Jaya, Selangor.The scope covers the overall social impact on the presence of foreign immigrants on urban communities,family relationship,the relationship among the local community, the relationship between locals and foreigners,the acceptance of foreigners by local residents,sense of belonging and the safety aspect.A total of 95 questionnaires survey were carried out among local respondents.Besides,direct observation was conducted to investigate the condition of the study area.The findings revealed that most of the respondents felt that the presence of foreign immigrants has negatively impacted their life. Keywords: social, impact, urban, community eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI2.2524.

scholarly journals Vocal modulation in human mating and competition

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1840) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Hughes ◽  
David A. Puts
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Vocal Behaviour ◽  
Courtship Success ◽  
Human Mating ◽  
Voice Modulation ◽  
Romantic Interest

The human voice is dynamic, and people modulate their voices across different social interactions. This article presents a review of the literature examining natural vocal modulation in social contexts relevant to human mating and intrasexual competition. Altering acoustic parameters during speech, particularly pitch, in response to mating and competitive contexts can influence social perception and indicate certain qualities of the speaker. For instance, a lowered voice pitch is often used to exert dominance, display status and compete with rivals. Changes in voice can also serve as a salient medium for signalling a person's attraction to another, and there is evidence to support the notion that attraction and/or romantic interest can be distinguished through vocal tones alone. Individuals can purposely change their vocal behaviour in attempt to sound more attractive and to facilitate courtship success. Several findings also point to the effectiveness of vocal change as a mechanism for communicating relationship status. As future studies continue to explore vocal modulation in the arena of human mating, we will gain a better understanding of how and why vocal modulation varies across social contexts and its impact on receiver psychology. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Voice modulation: from origin and mechanism to social impact (Part I)’.

Acoustic analysis of the effects of alcohol on the human voice

1998 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 2895-2895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla M. Cooney ◽  
Kevin G. McGuigan ◽  
Peter J. P. Murphy ◽  
Ronan M. Conroy
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Human Voice

scholarly journals Post-disaster social capital: trust, equity, bayanihan and Typhoon Yolanda

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Eadie ◽  
Yvonne Su
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Self Help ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of disaster rehabilitation interventions on bonding social capital in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. Design/methodology/approach The data from the project are drawn from eight barangays in Tacloban City, the Philippines. Local residents and politicians were surveyed and interviewed to examine perceptions of resilience and community self-help. Findings The evidence shows that haphazard or inequitable distribution of relief goods and services generated discontent within communities. However, whilst perceptions of community cooperation and self-help are relatively low, perceptions of resilience are relatively high. Research limitations/implications This research was conducted in urban communities after a sudden large-scale disaster. The findings are not necessarily applicable in the rural context or in relation to slow onset disasters. Practical implications Relief agencies should think more carefully about the social impact of the distribution of relief goods and services. Inequality can undermine community level cooperation. Social implications A better consideration of social as well as material capital in the aftermath of disaster could help community self-help, resilience and positive adaptation. Originality/value This study draws on evidence from local communities to contradict the overarching rhetoric of resilience in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

scholarly journals Healthy Behaviors Associated with Changes in Mental and Physical Strength in Urban African American and White Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1824
Author(s):  
Marie Fanelli Kuczmarski ◽  
Elizabeth Orsega-Smith ◽  
Nicolle A. Mode ◽  
Rita Rawal ◽  
Michele K. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Inflammatory Index

Over time, adherence to healthy behaviors may improve physical and mental strength which is essential for successful aging. A plausible mechanism is the reduction of inflammation. Research on the association of risky health behaviors on change in strength with age is limited. This study examined changes in the inflammatory potential of the diet, smoking, illicit drug use with changes in strength in a racially and socioeconomically diverse adult sample from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span study. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) was calculated from 35 food components derived from multiple 24-h dietary recalls. Strength was evaluated by handgrip strength (HGS), SF-12 PCS and SF-12 MCS (physical and mental component scores). Repeated measures analyses were used to examine associations. At baseline, mean age was 48.4 ± 0.25 years, 56% of the sample were women, and 58% African American. Significant 4-way interactions were found between age, race, socioeconomic status, and DII for women, on change in HGS (p < 0.05) and in SF-12 PCS (p < 0.05) and for men, in change in SF-12 PCS (p < 0.05). Improvements in SF-12 MCS were associated with all three health behaviors as main effects. This study provided evidence that changes towards improving healthy behaviors, diet with anti-inflammatory potential, not smoking cigarettes and not using illicit drugs, were associated with improved strength. Health professionals, especially registered dietitians and health coaches, should create lifestyle interventions to reduce inflammation targeting change in more than one risky health behavior.

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