Mood is linked to vowel type: The role of articulatory movements.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0035752
• Publication Date: 2014-04-07T21:10:23Z
• Authors: Ralf Rummer; Judith Schweppe; René Schlegelmilch; Martine Grice
• Keywords: Negative mood

This study investigates the relation between vowel identity and emotional state. In Experiment 1, (pseudo)words were invented articulated in a positive or negative mood condition. Subjects produced more words containing /i:/, involving same muscle that is used smiling--the zygomaticus major (ZMM). /o:/, an antagonist of ZMM--the orbicularis orbis (OOM). We argue link related to orofacial activity, which provides articulatory feedback speakers on their 2 tests this hypothesis specifically. Participants rated funniness cartoons while repeatedly articulating either /i:/ (ZMM) /o:/ line with our hypothesis, as funnier by subjects than those /o:/.