Effects of voice familiarity

To be eligible, both partners must meet the following criteria:

• Age: 18-40 years
• Native North American English speakers
• Currently in a heterosexual long-term relationship (must be living together for at least a year)
• Have hearing and vision adequate to perform the task
• No history of neurological problems
• Right-handed

You and your partner will be invited to visit the laboratory independently for recording and experimental sessions.

1. During recording sessions, we will record your voices as you read short stories. Depending on how long you feel comfortable recording, we can do all the recordings on the same day for a total of 1.5-2h of recording. If you prefer to split the recording time, we may instead have two separate but shorter visits to the laboratory. After both you and your partner have finished all your recordings, there will be a wait period before you are contacted again for scheduling the experimental sessions. This period may last up to four months, depending on availability.
2. You and your partner will each attend an experimental session, which will last 1.5-2h. During the experimental session, you will listen to recordings made by other participants, including your partner. Every so often, you will be asked simple comprehension questions about the stories. We will also be collecting EEG data from you while you listen to the stories. This is a non-invasive imaging method that involves having you wear a special cap with electrodes. This is completely painless and harmless. In total, participation across all sessions will last about 3-4 hours for each of you.

Principal Investigator: Ingrid Johnsrude
Study posted on: August 25th, 2023
Recruitment open until: May 1st, 2024

For more information about this study please contact:

Bruno conchlab6@uwo.ca