Characteristics of Vocal Communication Between Young Adults and Their Parents and Grandparents

Abstract

This study examined characteristics of young adult children's vocal communication with parents and grandparents. Seven young adult women telephoned their parents and grandparents, had a brief conversation with them, and described a collage to them. Voice samples of the conversations were rated by groups of 12-15 male and female judges on scales reflecting vocal qualities and interpersonal attitudes. Judges also guessed with whom the speakers were talking. Finally, collage descriptions were coded for message complexity. The major findings were that although speakers did not manifest differences in the use of complex linguistic forms, their voices were generally higher in pitch and sounded more babyish, feminine, and unpleasant when conversing with grandparents versus parents. Moreover, speakers were judged to be more deferential and congenial when speaking to grandparents. Variations in the nature of young adult grandchildren's vocal behavior were interpreted more as reactions to familial obligations than to the perceived cognitive capacities of elderly grandparents.

The impact of implicit prejudice about the elderly on the reaction to stereotype confirmation and disconfirmation

“…Stereotypic beliefs about the elderly are mainly negative, including physical, cognitive, and interpersonal deficiencies (see Montepare & Zebrowitz, 2002;Pasupathi, Carstensen, & Tsai, 1995;Zebrowitz & Montepare, 2000). The interaction with an aged person is often characterized by the adoption of an oversimplified and patronizing language (Caporael, 1981;Caporael, Lucaszewski, & Culbertson, 1983; see also Montepare, Steinberg, & Rosenberg, 1992). In a related way, elder adults are less likely to be provided with important information than young adults (Rubin & Brown, 1975) and are also less likely to receive adequate medical treatment (Butler, 1975;Grant, 1996;Hillerbrand & Shaw, 1989).…”

Reflecting on Life

“…Other work shows that as people age, communication with strangers can involve stereotypical and unsatisfying conversations (Giles, Coupland, Coupland, Williams, & Nussbaum, 1992;Ryan, 1994). Under certain circumstances, even close others engage in ageist communication with older adults (Baltes & Wahl, 1992;Montepare, Steinberg, & Rosenberg, 1992). This latter body of work implies that audiences for later life remembering may be less than optimally supportive and responsive.…”

Normal Aging and Environmental Effects on Communication

“…Understanding this communicative relationship may help us to better understand children's attitudes toward all elders (Nussbaum & Bettini, 1994), and with elders' increased life expectancy, more individuals may have contact with grandparents for a longer time. Montepare, Steinberg, and Rosenberg (1992) asked 40 young adults, ages 18 to 20, to telephone their parents and grandparents, and after a warm-up conversation period, to describe a collage of pictures of different people. Results indicated that, although the young adults' content did not become less complex, their voices became higher, louder, and more feminine sounding when conversing with grandparents than with parents.…”