Abstract

Differences between identical and fraternal twins have long been examined in attempts to separate characteristics determined by nature from those resulting from nurturing. This paper describes a study of the vocal spectra pairs of monozygotic, dizygotic, and nontwin age- and sex-matched controls. The results are based on a statistical comparison of the relative energy of the voices of pairs of individuals at each of a number of spectral points. The monozygotic twin pairs were found to be significantly more alike in the range from 670 to 2000 cps but not in the range below 400 cps. These data are consistent with previous findings in this laboratory that the lower-frequency range is more sensitive to changes that accompany emotion-evoking stimuli. Thus, the lower section of the spectrum is more variable whereas the higher section is more stable. The data support the hypothesis that the vocal spectrum is, at least in part, determined by genetic factors. [This research was supported by Public Health Service grant MH-04664, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.]

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