Context-specific vocalizations in human infants (homo sapiens): Can computer modelling help to bring further insight into categorical perception?

Verena Kersken*, Juan Carlos Gómez, Klaus Zuberbühler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Using a methodological approach adapted from field-studies with non-human primates, we observed the vocal behaviour of prelinguistic infants in one of their natural habitat, a nursery environment. We identified a number of vocalizations reliably triggered by specific contexts in the infants and conducted an acoustic analysis of the different call types. Our results show that prelinguistic infants produce different categories of vocalizations. Categorical production has also been observed in other primate species, for example Vervet or Diana monkeys. Computer modelling could aid the analysis of such data by simulating the perceptual processes at work in the receiver when perceiving and categorizing a call. This would move the way we analyze calls beyond an objective description of their acoustic parameters and more towards a representation of the perceptual processes involved in categorical auditory perception.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Symposium on AI Inspired Biology - A Symposium at the AISB 2010 Convention
Pages64-66
Number of pages3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2010
EventInternational Symposium on AI Inspired Biology, AIIB 2010 - A Symposium at the AISB 2010 Convention - Leicester, United Kingdom
Duration: 29 Mar 20101 Apr 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Symposium on AI Inspired Biology - A Symposium at the AISB 2010 Convention

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on AI Inspired Biology, AIIB 2010 - A Symposium at the AISB 2010 Convention
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLeicester
Period29/03/101/04/10

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