塚本妙子, 東倉洋一
乳幼児の泣声の知覚における単位
Abstract:Perceptual units for category identification of infant cries are studied. Original samples are classified into three categories: the hunger cry, the call cry, the anger cry and employed in perceptual experiments. In order to generate stimuli, each of the cry samples is first segmented into single segment units according to the infant's breath group vocalization. The single segment units are combined with each other in temporal order to generate two-, three-, five- and seven-segment unit stimuli. In identifying these stimuli, 52 subjects are instructed to make a forced choice among the three categories.
As a result, it is shown that category identification rates are dependent upon the number of segments constructing each stimulus. However, the identification rates are saturated at two-segment units in the call cry and three- to five-segment units in the hunger and the anger cry. It indicates that these are the perceptual units which are about six to eight seconds in temporal duration across all three categories.