Psychophysiological and Perceptual Responses to Infant Cries Varying in Pitch: Comparison of Adults With Low and High Scores on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory

• NCJ Number: 135779
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 19-29
• Author(s): H P Crowe; P S Zeskind
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This article is based on a study presented at the Conference on Human Development, Charleston, S.C., 1988.

Annotation

Two groups of adults with low and high scores on the Child Abuse Potential (CAP Inventory (15 persons in each group) were compared in the psychophysiological and perceptual responses to audio-taped infant cries that varied in pitch.

Abstract

Subjects' heart rate and skin conductance were assessed as they listened to audio-taped presentations of four "normal" phonated infant cries and four high-pitched, hyperphonated infant cries. Subjects also rated the cries on several perceptual items. Results show that both groups found hyperphonated cries more aversive, distressing, urgent, arousing, and sick than phonated cry sounds. Similarly, all listeners had higher skin conductance levels (SCL) in response to hyperphonated cries compared to phonated crimes. SCL became attenuated over time in response to phonated, but not to hyperphonated crimes. Adults in the high-CAP group had marginally higher heart rates than low-CAP adults following the presentation of all infant cry sounds and responded to phonated cries with marginally higher skin conductance levels than low-CAP adults. The responses of high-CAP nonparent adults are similar to those of parents with histories of physically abusive interactions with their infants. 1 table, 3 figures, 36 references, and summaries in French and Spanish