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Witchel_et_al_2013_AIA_DAGA_body_indicators_soundscape_quality.pdf (322.22 kB)

Using body language indicators for assessing the effects of soundscape quality on individuals

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posted on 2023-06-08, 15:29 authored by Harry WitchelHarry Witchel, Lisa Lavia, Carina Ellinor Irene Westling, Aoife Healy, Robert Needham, Nachiappan Chockalingam
“Sounding Brighton” is a collaborative project exploring practical approaches towards better soundscapes focusing on soundscape issues related to health, quality of life and restorative functions of the environment. The project is part of a citywide engagement process working to provide opportunities to demonstrate how an applied soundscape approach might: tackle conventional noise problems, contribute to local planning and improve the environment in areas including urban green spaces, the built environment and traffic noise. So far, a soundscape map of the city has been developed, and a public outreach exhibition and conferences have taken place. One preliminary, experimental soundscape intervention in night noise has been analysed. This paper reports on further work to develop a better understanding of the effects of soundscapes on individual and community responses to soundscape through the use of body language indicators. Two-minute excerpts of aversive and preferred music were presented to 11 healthy volunteers in a motion-capture laboratory setting. Their responses were quantified computationally using motion-capture-derived parameters for position, absolute movement speed, and stillness. The prevalence of stillness of the head height (based on a 2 cm cut-off during 2-second sectors) was significantly lower when volunteers were exposed to unpleasant music compared to preferred music. This experiment provides proof in principle that changes in soundscape can be associated with subsequent, objective and statistically significant changes in body language that can be detected computationally.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Presentation Type

  • paper

Event name

AIA-DAGA 2013 Conference on Acoustics

Event location

Merano, Italy

Event type

conference

Event date

18-21 March 2013

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-08-08

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2013-08-08

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2013-08-08

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