Voice changes around people we like

Humans are known to behave strangely when faced with potential mates, and now a European study has looked at what happens to the vocal pitch of men and women during speed dating events.

In 30 case studies from European events, researchers found women raised their pitch when they met potential mates, but lowered their pitch when they were talking to the men they desired the most or who were “most desired” by other women.

The men, who also lowered their voice around women they liked, were shown to prefer women with deeper voices, suggesting why we change vocal behaviour to attract potential mates.

The study authors say the results support the hypothesis that humans alter the quality of their voices during “real-life mate choice, possibly to signal sexual interest and/or to elicit favourable judgments from potential mates”.