Dixon

Question 1

what were the aims of the study

Answer 1

To discover if a ‘Brummie’ accent would receive a higher rating of guilt than a standard accent.
To make further comparisons between white and black suspects and blue-collar versus white-collar crime.

Question 2

What was the method

Answer 2

119 participants (University of Worcester students, no Brummie accents) listened to a two-minute transcript of a police interview.
6 conditions (IVs): - Brummie accent, standard accent (RP), White suspect, Black suspect, blue-collar crime, white-collar crime
DV = 7-point bipolar scale from innocent to guilty

Question 3

What were the results

Answer 3

The Brummie accent, black suspect, blue collar crime condition received higher guilt ratings than the other 5 conditions.

Question 4

what was the conclusion of this study

Answer 4

Some accents sound guiltier than others

Question 5

what were the strengths of the study

Answer 5

Controlled and replicable study.

Question 6

what were the limitations of this study

Answer 6

Lacks external validity - lots of other factors in real legal decision making. Ecological validity – not a real criminal case.