We have examined some prosodic features (intensity, articulation rate and frequency) and the styles of interpersonal contact of 30 male and female students, to investigate the relations between styles of contact and prosodic features. Interpersonal contact was examined using a questionnaire and actual measurement of the distance between subject and a manikin. These two indicators of contact were directly related. The data showed an inverse relationship between some levels of psychological barrier and prosodic features. A discussion of the data takes into consideration problems of contact in an ethological framework.
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