voice pitch

Available online xxx MS. number: 09-00262R Keywords: attraction fundamental frequency mate choice mate preference sexual dimorphism sexual selection vocal cue Women’s preferences for masculine characteristics in men’s voices and men’s preferences for feminine characteristics in women’s voices are thought to reflect adaptations that identify high-quality (e.g. healthy) mates. Consistent with this proposal, we found that men had stronger preferences than women for women’s voices with raised pitch (i.e. feminized female voices) and that women had stronger preferences than men for men’s voices with lowered pitch (i.e. masculinized male voices). Importantly