Key Research: Dixon, Mahoney and Cocks - Accents of Guilt?

Question 1

What is the main aim of Dixon’s study?

Answer 1

To test the hypothesis that a Brummie-accented suspect would receive a higher rating of guilt than a suspect with a standard accent.

Question 2

Outline the sample of this study.

Answer 2

• University College Worcester
• 119 undergraduate students
• Participants who grew up in Birmingham excluded

Question 3

What did the participants listen to in the procedure?

Answer 3

They listened to a 2 minute tap recorded conversation based on a real transcript. (different versions of the tape depending on what condition they were in)

Question 4

What was on the tape that the participants listened to?

Answer 4

A police officer interrogating a young man who was pleading innocent of a crime.

Question 5

What are three IVs of this study?

Answer 5

• Brummie accent or normal accent
• Black or white suspect
• White collar crime (cheque fraud) or blue collar crime (armed robbery)

Question 6

What did the participants have to do after listening to the tape?

Answer 6

They had to rate the suspect from innocent to guilty

Question 7

What were the results to do with the accent?

Answer 7

• Brummie accent rated as lower in superiority

- Brummie accent rated higher in guilt than normal

Question 8

What were the results to do with all three IVs?

Answer 8

-Brummie, black suspect accused of blue-collar crime received significantly higher guilt ratings than other conditions

Question 9

What are the main conclusions of Dixon’s study?

Answer 9

• Accent can have an effect on attributions of guilt

- In real trial strength of evidence would likely outweigh the impact of accent