A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Why were individuals raised in Birmingham excluded from Dixon et al's sample?

1. They were too familiar with the standard accent

2. They were likely to stereotype less

3. They might not understand the accents

4. They had different cultural backgrounds

The correct answer is: They were likely to stereotype less

Individuals raised in Birmingham were excluded from Dixon et al's sample because they were likely to stereotype less. This reflects the idea that individuals who are familiar with a particular accent may have different perceptual biases and experiences compared to those who are not. Familiarity with the local accent could lead to less reliance on stereotypes associated with accents when evaluating individuals based on their speech. In sociolinguistic studies, it is essential to control for factors that might influence the outcome of the research, such as the participants’ background and familiarity with the accents being studied. By excluding individuals from Birmingham, the researchers aimed to ensure that the sample would have a more varied perception of the different accents, thereby eliminating any potential biases that might arise from familiarity, which could skew the judgment regarding the effectiveness or credibility of speakers with different accents.