The Relationship Between Words and Tone-of-Voice

Abstract

This study shows that there are normative associations between words and tone-of-voice, and that synchrony and dysynchrony between these two modes of speech communication can be operationally defined. The association of the thematic categories " anger " and " depression " with the voice qualities pitch, loudness, and tempo was examined. Differential use of these voice qualities was determined by having judges compare the voice qualities occurring with the contents " anger " and " depression ". The results indicate that there are normative relationships between voice and content. Specifically, synchrony exists when the content is " moderate anger " and there is a relative increase in tempo; and, when the content is " great depression " and there is a relative decrease in tempo.