Scientific American 60-second Science, July 5, 2016
作者：Erika Beras 翻譯：SophieMen
原文地址：This Algorithm Can Predict Relationship Trouble - Scientific American
音頻下載：160705BreakupAlgorithm.mp3
Transcript and Translation
Watch your tone—because it turns out it really isn’t what you say—it's how you say it. At least when it comes to couples in couples counseling.
That’s according to a study in Proceedings of Interspeech. [Md Nasir et al., Still Together?: The Role of Acoustic Features in Predicting Marital Outcome]
注意你的語氣——因為已經(jīng)證實重要的不是你說了什么账胧，而是你是如何說的。至少在情侶咨詢中是這樣的先紫。
這一結(jié)論的依據(jù)是Interspeech會議論文集中的一項研究治泥。
Researchers developed a computer algorithm to gauge relationships between spouses based on their vocal patterns. Working with hundreds of recorded conversations from marriage therapy sessions collected over two years, the algorithm was able to predict whether a relationship was going to get better or worse with an accuracy of just under eighty percent.
研究者們開發(fā)了一個計算機算法來依據(jù)夫妻雙方的聲音模式評估他們之間的關(guān)系。采用在兩年多里收集的數(shù)百段婚姻治療會議的錄音遮精，這一算法能夠以接近80%的準(zhǔn)確度預(yù)測一段關(guān)系將會變好還是變糟居夹。
How they did it? The recordings were divided by acoustic features that used speech processing techniques to track pitch and voice warble and intensity.
These clips from the researcher’s training video illustrate psychological states that characterize distressed relationships. This one, for example, shows “negative affect” and “reactivity” – behaviors that relationship experts believe are troublesome.
Female: And I want you to just come home at a more reasonable time rather than you know walking in the door at 11. Male: I just don’t think you understand just how much I have to do, what my work entails. Female: Well, what is there to understand?
他們是如何做到的呢？運用語音處理技術(shù)追蹤語調(diào)的起伏本冲、顫音准脂、強度，依據(jù)這些聲學(xué)特征對錄音切片檬洞。研究者的這些訓(xùn)練視頻的切片揭示了有問題關(guān)系的心理狀態(tài)狸膏。例如下面這個例子，說明了“消極情感”和“對刺激的反應(yīng)”——情感專家認(rèn)為這些行為容易出現(xiàn)麻煩添怔。
女：我希望你能在一個更合理的時間回家湾戳，而不是在11點的時候走進(jìn)家門贤旷。男：我想你只是不能理解我有多少事情要做，我的工作需要我承擔(dān)什么院塞。女：哦遮晚，需要理解什么呢？
The counseling sessions were also tested against behavioral analyses with codes for positives such as “acceptance” and the negatives such as “blame.” Using only that more standardized research method wasn’t as predictable as listening to the vocal expressions.
Now, these examples are negative as the researchers focused on distressed relationship dynamics. One could imagine the algorithms may also work the same way when looking at positive vocal patterns. Because even married couples sometimes say nice things to each other.
這些咨詢會議同樣也進(jìn)行了如“接納”類的積極詞語和“責(zé)備”類的消極詞語的行為分析測試拦止。只采用這種標(biāo)準(zhǔn)化的研究方法的預(yù)測效果并不像聽聲音表達(dá)那樣好县遣。目前，由于研究者們關(guān)注有問題關(guān)系的變化汹族，這些例子只是消極的萧求。可以想象這個算法也可以采用同樣的方式處理積極聲音模式顶瞒。因為即便是已婚夫妻間有時也會互相說好話夸政。
Vocabulary
spouse, \?spau?s also ?spau?z, noun, someone who is married : a husband or wife.
acoustic, \?-?küs-tik, adjective, 1. of or relating to sound or to the sense of hearing. 2. of a musical instrument: not having its sound changed by electrical devices. 3. made with or using acoustic instruments
warble, \?wo?r-b?l, noun, 1. a melodious succession of low pleasing sounds. 2. a musical trill. 3. the action of warbling.
distressed, /d??str?st/, adjective, 1.feeling or showing extreme unhappiness or pain. 2.somewhat formal: not having enough money : experiencing financial trouble.
entail, \in-?tāl, en-, verb ,to have (something) as a part, step, or result
