Face and Voice Perception: Understanding Commonalities and Differences

Abstract

Faces and voices are of high importance in interpersonal communication, and there are notable parallels between face and voice perception. However, these parallels do not sit entirely comfortably with the full range of available evidence. In this review, we evaluate parallels between the functional and neural organisation of face and voice perception, while locating these in the context of ways in which faces and voices also differ. We take the discussion to the next level by asking why these commonalities and differences exist. A novel synthesis is offered, grounded in the interaction between intrinsic characteristics of faces and voices and the demands of everyday life, showing how the pattern of findings reflects a system that can respond optimally to different everyday demands.

Keywords: Face perception; emotion; identity; speech; voice perception.