The researchers used video and sound recordings to see whether or not men and women actually change the timber of their voice when speaking to an attractive, or unattractive, member of the opposite sex. Results showed that men instinctively change their pitch.
You might not have to wait for a guy to confess his feelings to get verbal confirmation that he's into you. According to a new study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, guys vary their vocal pitch, shifting between both high and low tones of voice, when talking to a woman they find attractive.
Turns out that's what most guys do. And so do most women. Researchers found that, "Both sexes used a lower-pitched voice and showed a higher level of physiological arousal when speaking to the more attractive, opposite-sex target.
Apparently, the reasoning behind this unconscious reaction is rooted in evolution. The study authors theorize that men's voices instinctively deepen in order to appear more masculine to the opposite sex, but they also implement the varied pitch so they're less threatening.
A changing voice is one of the many developments that happen to both girls and guys when they reach puberty.
It's an evolutionary response for men to calmly raise their vocal pitch when speaking to a member of the opposite sex, he says. It conveys tenderness, trustworthiness, and lack of aggression. (And you do the same thing around kids, he adds.)
A flirty voice is playful and light, sometimes sarcastic and witty. It gives you that tingle down your spine, and it makes the listener feel special, maybe even shy. It's the kind of voice you might hear on a TV network promo or commercial spot.
As the body goes through puberty, the larynx (or voice box) grows larger and thicker. It happens in both boys and girls, but the change is more obvious in boys. Girls' voices only deepen by a couple of tones and the change is barely noticeable. Boys' voices, though, start to get much deeper.
Some experts believe men modulate their voices first as a way to put women at ease and then lower the tone of their voice to sound more masculine. Psychologists involved in the study also found that women were more likely to modulate their voices when faced with an attractive woman, a competitor.
She said people with positive feelings towards each other began to display a phenomenon called phonetic convergence. "The voices of the two people who are speaking to each other, if they are attracted to each other or if they experience positive emotions towards each other, they start becoming more similar," she said.
Listening to the recordings, the researchers noted a striking pattern: both men and women spoke with a slightly lower pitch if they were attracted to their date. Another finding: women only lowered their voice when speaking to a man they fancied, who'd also received favourable attention from other women in the room.
“Several studies suggest that a lower pitch in women is perceived as attractive or 'sexy',” Dr Pisanski said. “Women with relatively high-pitched voices are typically perceived as more feminine, younger and more attractive than are women with low-pitched voices.
If he makes a point to talk to you, he's probably interested in you. He might approach you in person to chat, or he might send you lots of texts throughout the day. If he seems hesitant to let the conversation die, he probably likes you. To show your interest, start conversations and keep them going, too.
A different study on the perception of vocal sexiness says that men and women both find mid-pitched voices to be the “most sexy.” At the same time, a different study on interviewers' voices says that being high-pitched with an extensive vocal range is the most attractive.
Men are more attracted to women with higher-pitched and breathy voices, as these seem to indicate smaller body size, a study published in Plos One suggests. Further research indicates that women who sound attractive usually are.
The pitch of someone's voice also contributes to how attractive they're perceived. “Males, in general, tend to find female voices that have a slightly higher pitch and are slightly breathier more attractive than female voices that are slightly lower in pitch,” says Monahan.
Edit: It just means he finds you appealing and therefore wants to treat you gently, since he views you as valuable. It could have to do with a more traditional perspective on women as well. So, in simple terms, it's a positive reaction to you.
Guys that are into you often use lots of emojis, text first, or even double text. Watch for in-person signs, like holding eye contact, respectful little touches, or leaning in close. A follow-up text after a date or hangout, or a raincheck when he can't make it are sure signs that he wants to spend more time with you.
If someone smiles a lot when they look at you and connects eye contact with smiling, it is usually because they find you attractive. They might also make fun of you and tease you, or try to make you laugh. If someone's into you, you make them nervous. Their heart will beat rapidly from being around you.