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Acoustical characteristics of infant cries: fundamental frequency*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Thomas Murry ,
Pamela Amundson  and
Harry Hollien
Thomas Murry
Affiliation:
Veterans Administration Hospital, San Diego
Pamela Amundson
Affiliation:
Veterans Administration Hospital, San Diego
Harry Hollien
Affiliation:
Institute for the Advanced Study of Communication Processes, Gainesville, Florida
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Abstract

The fundamental frequencies (F0) of infant cries were analysed to determine if: (1) mean cry F0 differed as a function of the sex of the infant, and (2) mean cry F0 differed due to the stimulus evoking the cry. The results of this study indicate that there are no significant differences in mean cry F0 as a function of infant's sex or cry-evoking stimulus. However, there was tendency for male infants to have higher mean F0 than females. The results suggest that the infants' F0 may confuse listeners attempting to make perceptual judgments about the source and nature of the cry.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , October 1977 , pp. 321 - 328
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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References

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