Speech perception and vocal expression of emotion

Two experiments using identical stimuli were run to determine whether the v ocal expression of emotion affects the speed with which listeners can ident ify emotion words. Sentences were spoken in an emotional tone of voice (Hap py, Disgusted, or Petrified), or in a Neutral tone of voice. Participants m ade speeded lexical decisions about the word or pseudoword in sentence-fina l position. Critical stimuli were emotion words that were either semantical ly congruent or incongruent with the tone of voice of the sentence. Experim ent 1, with randomised presentation of tone of voice, showed no effect of c ongruence or incongruence. Experiment 2, with blocked presentation of tone of voice, did show such effects: Reaction times for congruent trials were f aster than those for baseline trials and incongruent trials. Results are di scussed in terms of expectation (e.g., Kitayama, 1990, 1991, 1996) and emot ional connotation, and implications for models of word recognition are cons idered.