Abstract
Background: Research has shown that potential perpetrators and individuals high in psychopathic traits tend to body language cues to target a potential new victim. However, whether targeting occurs also by tending to vocal cues has not been examined. Thus, the role of voice in interpersonal violence merits investigation. Objective: In two studies, we examined whether perpetrators could differentiate female speakers with and without sexual and physical assault histories (presented as rating the degree of ‘vulnerability’ to victimization). Methods: Two samples of male listeners (sample one N = 105, sample two, N = 109) participated. Each sample rated 18 voices (9 survivors and 9 controls). Listener sample one heard spontaneous speech, and listener sample two heard the second sentence of a standardized passage. Listeners’ self-reported psychopathic traits and history of previous perpetration were measured. Results: Across both samples, history of perpetration (but not psychopathy) predicted accuracy in distinguishing survivors of assault. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential role of voice in prevention and intervention. Gaining a further understanding of what voice cues are associated with accuracy in discerning survivors can also help us understand whether or not specialized voice training could have a role in self-defense practices.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 2358681 |
Journal | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- assault
- perpetration
- trauma
- victimization
- Voice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health