Effect of sound sequence on soundscape emotions
Zhihui Han, Jian Kang, Qi Meng
Abstract
This study analysed the effect of sound sequence on soundscape emotions with respect to three aspects of sound sources: the number of sound source/s, changing trends in the number of sound source/s (increment/decrement) and category of sound source/s. A laboratory listening test was conducted with 31 participants and data on emotions evoked by the sound source per second, with its different characteristics, were obtained. A linear regression model was established between the three aspects of sound sources mentioned above and emotions. The results reveal the following: first, the number of sound source/s is negatively and positively correlated to the pleasing and arousing dimensions of emotion, respectively; second, changing trends in the number of sound source/s (increment/decrement) has a significant effect on variations in emotions (p < 0.05), but not on emotions itself (p > 0.05); and third, although the category of the sound source/s has a decisive effect on the coordinate range of emotions in a two-dimensional emotion space, the number and changing trends of sound source/s have a limited effect on it. Finally, the linear regression model, composed of the three aspects of sound sources, could explain the values of 33.2% and 28.8% for the pleasantness and arousal dimensions of emotion, respectively.