[Age-related characteristics of human perception of emotions in speech and in singing]

Monoaural presentation (in sequence to the left and right ears) of speech and vocal-musical phrases with different emotional content (joy, grief, anger, fear, indifference) has been made to children ageing between 7 and 16 years. These passages were performed by professional actors or singers. Absolute differences in the probability of correct identification of different emotions were obtained. They are maximal for fear and anger, being minimal for joy. Left ear preference to perception of emotions both in speech and in singing is already formed in 7-8 years old children.