title: Eyebrow movements and vocal pitch height: evidence consistent with an ethological signal.
abstract: When asked to sing a high pitch, people produce a facial expression that is judged more friendly compared with singing a low pitch [Huron et al. (2009). Empirical Musicology Rev. 4(3), 93-100]. This effect was observed even when judges viewed only the face above the tip of the nose, and implies a relationship between pitch height and eyebrow height. In the current study, we examine the reverse relationship. Thirty-one participants were asked to read aloud standard texts while holding their eyebrows in a raised, neutral, or lowered position. Average F0 was found to correlate positively with eyebrow position, with higher vocal pitch associated with higher eyebrow placement. However, manipulating eyebrow placement produces a considerably smaller effect (on pitch) compared with the effect of manipulating pitch (on eyebrows). Results are discussed from the perspective of ethological signals [Lorenz (1939). Zool. Anz. 12, 69-102].
authors: Cognitive and Systematic Musicology Lab, School of Music, Ohio State University, 110 Weigel Hall, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Huron
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Shanahan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005010:Ethology; D005138:Eyebrows / Q000502:physiology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014833:Voice Quality