Acoustical characteristics of infant cries: fundamental frequency

Abstract

The fundamental frequencies (F₀) of infant cries were analysed to determine if: (1) mean cry F₀ differed as a function of the sex of the infant, and (2) mean cry F₀ differed due to the stimulus evoking the cry. The results of this study indicate that there are no significant differences in mean cry F₀ as a function of infant's sex or cry-evoking stimulus. However, there was tendency for male infants to have higher mean F₀ than females. The results suggest that the infants' F₀ may confuse listeners attempting to make perceptual judgments about the source and nature of the cry.