Relationships between vocal characteristics and body size and shape in human males: an evolutionary explanation for a deep male voice

Sarah Evans, Nick Neave, Delia Wakelin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

174 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A deep male voice may play a role in courtship and competitive behaviours in humans by attracting female mates and indicating body size to male competitors. The current correlational study investigated the relationship between vocal measures (fundamental and formant frequencies) and both body size and shape. Vocal samples and physical measures were obtained from 50 heterosexual male volunteers. A significant negative relationship was found between fundamental frequency and measures of body shape and weight. Further, a significant negative relationship was found between formant dispersion (the relationship between successive formant frequencies) and measures of body size as well as body shape. Findings are discussed in relation to the ‘good genes’ model of sexual selection and the size exaggeration theory of laryngeal descent.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-163
JournalBiological Psychology
Volume72
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Relationships between vocal characteristics and body size and shape in human males: an evolutionary explanation for a deep male voice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this