Fig 1.
Examples of (A) rms- and (B) peak-scaled sound samples.
The figure visually highlights differences between methodologies. Within each plot, constant (“ah” vocalization; left) and intermittent (two hand claps; right) time waveforms are displayed.
Fig 2.
Mean ratings of valence of sounds when they were rms-scaled as a function of ratings of valence when tokens were peak-scaled.
Each dot represents an individual sound. Shaded squares indicate ratings that did not change nominal category between scaling approaches. Yellow dots indicate sounds that were nominally ‘unpleasant’ with the peak-scaling approach but were nominally ‘neutral’ with the rms-scaling approach. Blues dots indicate sounds that were nominally ‘neutral’ with the peak-scaling approach but were ‘pleasant’ with the rms-scaling approach. Red dots indicate tokens that were nominally ‘pleasant’ with the peak-scaling approach but were nominally ‘neutral’ with the rms-scaling approach.
Fig 3.
Mean ratings of valence as a function of rms level (among peak-scaled sounds; left panel) and as a function of peak level (among rms-scaled sounds; right panel).
The relationship between ratings of valence and rms level is statistically significant, whereas the relationship between ratings of valence and peak level is not statistically significant.
Fig 4.
Mean rating of arousal of tokens when they were rms-scaled compared to when they were peak-scaled.
Each dot represents an individual sound. Shaded regions indicate ratings that did not change nominal category between scaling approaches. Yellow dots indicate sounds that were nominally ‘neutral with the peak-scaling approach but were nominally ‘calming’ with the rms-scaling approach. Blues dots indicate sounds that were nominally ‘exciting’ with the peak-scaling approach but were ‘neutral’ with the rms-scaling approach.
Fig 5.
Mean ratings of arousal as a function of rms level (among peak-scaled sounds; left panel) and as a function of peak level (among rms-scaled sounds; right panel).
The relationship between ratings of arousal and rms level was statistically significant, whereas the relationship between ratings of arousal and peak level was not statistically significant.