A Sonic Exploration of Fear with Caroline Traube

On October 30, 2024, UdeMNouvelles published an intriguing article by Béatrice St-Cyr-Leroux on the power of sound to evoke emotions of fear and alertness, a topic that fascinates Caroline Traube, professor at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Music.

In her psychoacoustic work, Traube analyzes how certain sounds, through their frequency and timbre, evoke strong emotions. For example, high-pitched and dissonant sounds, like the sharp bow strokes on a violin, can mimic human screams and trigger instinctive fear. Conversely, low and deep sounds, akin to a rumble or growl, suggest an imposing and unknown danger. The theremin, an electronic instrument known for its eerie and ghostly timbre, is also often used to symbolize mystery and strangeness in science fiction films.

Caroline Traube’s research sheds light on how our brain interprets sound vibrations, activating ancient emotional and physiological responses of defense in the face of potential danger. Her discoveries deepen our understanding of the interactions between sound, emotion, and psychology, showcasing the powerful role of sound in our perception of fear.

This content has been updated on 31 October 2024 at 14 h 54 min.