A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

In Dixon et al's study, which accent was perceived as guiltier compared to standard accents?

1. Brummie accent

2. Cockney accent

3. Received Pronunciation

4. Geordie accent

The correct answer is: Brummie accent

The Brummie accent was perceived as guiltier in Dixon et al's study due to the societal biases and stereotypes associated with regional accents. Research has shown that accents can influence perceived trustworthiness and character judgments, a phenomenon rooted in social psychology. The study highlighted how participants viewed defendants with a Brummie accent as more likely to be guilty, likely due to negative associations attached to the accent in the context of crime and deviance. Participants often rely on stereotypes when evaluating others, and the Brummie accent, linked to certain socio-economic backgrounds, might evoke preconceived notions of criminality. This aligns with the idea that accents can significantly influence perceptions in judicial settings, showcasing the impact of social biases on decision-making processes. Accents like Received Pronunciation typically evoke more positive perceptions and are associated with higher social status, while the Cockney and Geordie accents do not carry the same degree of bias in terms of guilt perception as the Brummie accent.