Topic 4 - Dixon et al - The role of Accent and Context in Perceptions of Guilt Flashcards
What was the background?
Dixon suggest it’s wildly accepted that standard accents are rated more positively than nonstandard, especially on traits to do with competence or status. Accent evaluation depends on context, with urban Brummie accent seen more negatively than rural or standard accents.
What was the aim?
To test the hypothesis that a Brummie accent would receive a higher rating of guilt than a standard accent. Also to see whether race or type of crime would effect how either accents were judged
What was the research method and design?
Lab experiment using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design (accent, race, crime) - independent measures
What were the IVs?
Brummie or standard, white or black, crime type (armed robbery - blue collar or cheque fraud - white collar)
What were the DVs?
Participants’ attribution of guilt operationalised using a 7-point scale that measured guilt where 1=innocent and 7=guilt. The speech evaluation instrument measured participants’ language attitudes
What was the sample?
Students from the psych department from University College Worcester. Part of course requirements to take part in the research. 24 white males, 95 white females, mean age of 25.2 - participants who grew up in Birmingham were excluded
What was the tape recording of suspect?
2 min tape recording of a mock interview reportedly held in a British Police Station. Standard accent student in mid-40s played role of officer. Suspect played by suspect in early 20s with a standard accent. He grew up near Brum and lived in various parts of England, so could switch between Brum and standard. Suspect pleaded innocent, one tape for white-collar, other for blue-collar. Description of suspect by officer was altered to either black or white in script. Used a standardised exchange between officer and suspect.
What were the ratings after the tape?
After listening participants completed two sets of rating scales. 1. rated guilt on 7-point scale, 2. rated suspect more generally by completing the SEI, a measure of language attitudes on three dimensions: superiority, attractiveness and dynamism
What were the results on accent type?
Brummie rated higher on guilt - significant difference
What were the results on race?
Black participants not rated significantly more guilty than whites
What were the results on crime type?
Blue collar not rated more significantly guilty than white-collar
What were the interactions between IVs?
Participants in black, Brummie, blue-collar crime condition received highest guilty rating
What was the conclusion?
Attributions of guilt are generally made in a far richer evidential context than we have provided here and it is likely that strength of evidence will moderate any effect of accent on legal decision making
