Physiological Basis of Voice Stress Analysis Flashcards

The fundamental frequency (F0) of a human voice is primarily determined by:

Answer: The rate at which the vocal cords vibrate

Fundamental frequency is determined by the vibration rate of the vocal cords, which is controlled by laryngeal muscle tension—the same tension that stress-induced microtremors affect.

The sympathetic nervous system's role in CVSA is best described as:

Answer: Activating the stress response that produces detectable voice changes

The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight stress response, increasing laryngeal muscle tension and producing the physiological voice changes that CVSA instruments detect.

In CVSA theory, the term 'psychological set' refers to:

Answer: The mental and emotional state a subject brings into the examination

'Psychological set' describes the subject's pre-existing mental and emotional state, which can influence baseline stress levels and must be considered when interpreting CVSA results.

How do the vocal folds generate the sound analyzed by CVSA instruments?

Answer: By vibrating at frequencies determined by air pressure and muscle tension

Vocal folds generate sound by vibrating due to subglottal air pressure and laryngeal muscle tension; stress-related changes in that tension create the frequency patterns CVSA analyzes.

The phenomenon of 'voice tremor' under stress is physiologically caused by:

Answer: Oscillations in laryngeal muscle tension triggered by the stress response

Voice tremor under stress results from oscillations in laryngeal muscle tension caused by the autonomic stress response, producing the frequency modulations that CVSA instruments are designed to detect.

Why might a highly experienced or habitual liar potentially show reduced CVSA stress markers?

Answer: They may have reduced physiological stress response due to habituation

Through repeated deception, some individuals may experience reduced autonomic arousal to lying through habituation, potentially producing fewer detectable physiological stress markers in the voice.

The relationship between respiration and voice stress patterns is important in CVSA because:

Answer: Breathing patterns directly affect the air pressure driving vocal cord vibration

Breathing controls the subglottal air pressure that drives vocal cord vibration; stress-related respiratory changes can therefore contribute to the voice frequency patterns that CVSA analyzes.