Skip to main content
Log in

The effects of low-pass filtering and random splicing on the perception of speech

  • Published:
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper the results are presented of an auditory description of 32 nonmanipulated, low-pass-filtered, and random-spliced speech samples. The description consisted of the ratings by three raters on 24 speech scales. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of the manipulations on the perception of speech. Insight into this question was gained by examining the reliability of, and the correlations between, the ratings in the three conditions, and by considering the outcomes of a number of t tests. It appeared that, after filtering, in addition to prosodic features, a number of voice quality characteristics remain present in the signal; articulatory information is eliminated. After splicing, not only voice quality features but also some articulatory and prosodic information remain present. Moreover, the study revealed that both content-masking techniques bring about systematic biases in the perception. These findings are relevant to emotion and personality research in which low-pass filtering and random splicing are used as masking techniques.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asendorpf, J., & Wallbott, H.G. (1979). Masse der Beobachterübereinstimmung: Ein systematischer Vergleich.Zeitschrift für Sozialpsychologie, 10, 243–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, L., & Beier, G. (1973). Significance of vocal and visual channels in the decoding of emotional meaning.Journal of Communication, 23, 118–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knower, F.H. (1941). Analysis of some experimental variations of simulated vocal experessions of the emotions.Journal of Social Psychology, 14, 369–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, E. (1964). Elimination of verbal cues in judgments of emotion from voice.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 68, 390–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laver, J. (1980).The phonetic description of voice quality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laver, J., Wirz, S., MacKenzie, J., & Hiller, S. (1981). A perceptual protocol for the analysis of vocal profiles.Work in Progress, Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, 14, 139–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCluskey, K.W., Albas, D.C., Niemi, R.R., Cuevas, C., & Ferrer, C.A. (1975). Cross-cultural differences in the perception of the emotional content of speech: A study of the development of sensitivity in Canadian and Mexican children.Developmental Psychology, 11, 551–555.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, P.L., Scherer, K.R., & Rosenthal, R. (1971). Content filtering human speech: A simple electronic system.Behavioral Research Methods and Instrumentation, 3, 16–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M., Duffy, R.J., Cooker, H.S., & Sargeant, R.L. (1973). Contributions of the lower audible frequencies in the recognition of emotions.American Annals of the Deaf, 118, 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R. (1971). Randomized splicing: A note on a simple technique for masking speech content.Journal of Rearch in Personality, 5, 155–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R. (1971). Voice quality analysis of American and German speakers.Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 3, 281–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R. (1981). Speech and emotional states. In J.K. Darby (Ed.),Speech evaluation in psychiatry (pp. 189–220). New York: Grune and Stratton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R., Feldstein, S., Bond, R.N., & Rosenthal, R. (1985). Vocal cues to deception: A comparative channel approach.Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 14, 409–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R., Koivumaki, J., & Rosenthal, R. (1972). Minimal cues in the communication of affect: Judging emotions from content-masked speech.Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 1, 269–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K.R., Scherer, U., Hall, J.A., & Rosenthal, R. (1977). Differential attribution of personality based on multi-channel presentation of verbal and nonverbal cues.Psycholinguistic Research, 39, 221–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundberg, J., & Gauffin, J. (1979). Waveform and spectrum of the glottal voice source. In B. Lindblom & S. Öhman (Eds.),Frontiers of speech communication research. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Bezooijen, R. (1984).Characteristics and recognizability of vocal expressions of emotion. Dordrecht/Cinnaminson: Foris Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Hout, R. (1977/1978). Het trekken van steekproeven in sociolinguistisch onderzoek.Mededelingen van de Nijmeegse Cetrale voor Dialect-en Naamkunde, 16, 47–93.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Bezzoijen, R., Boves, L. The effects of low-pass filtering and random splicing on the perception of speech. J Psycholinguist Res 15, 403–417 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067722

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067722

Keywords

Navigation