This research explores the impact of accents on perceived guilt and criminality. In a study involving 180 participants, researchers investigated how different accents influence perceptions of social traits and behaviors, including criminal acts. Participants listened to recordings of ten male voices, each representing a distinct accent: Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, and Standard Southern British English (SSBE). They were then asked to rate the likelihood of each accent engaging in various behaviors, such as dangerous driving, physical assault, shoplifting, sexual assault, and vandalism.
The study revealed a clear link between accent and perceived criminality. The Liverpool and Bradford accents were consistently rated as the most likely to engage in criminal behavior. Notably, the London and Liverpool accents were perceived as having the highest propensity for sexual assault, closely followed by the SSBE accent. This finding challenges existing stereotypes and suggests evolving perceptions regarding the perpetrators of sexual offenses. Interestingly, SSBE speakers were considered more likely to commit sexual assault than other crimes. The research underscored a strong correlation between accents perceived as working class and the likelihood of criminal behavior.
In contrast, Received Pronunciation (RP), often associated with higher social status, was deemed the least likely to be involved in criminal activities, except for sexual offenses. This exception, as lead author Alice Paver of Cambridge University notes, might signify a shift in societal perceptions of who commits such crimes. The study’s methodology mirrored voice identification parades used in criminal justice settings, aiming to reflect how jurors or earwitnesses might perceive accents in real-world scenarios.
The findings highlight a potential bias in the criminal justice system, where speakers of certain accents might face unfair disadvantages. Paver emphasizes the concern that some accents are perceived as “guiltier” than others, urging for greater awareness and mitigation of this bias. Contrary to the negative perceptions associated with some English accents, non-English accents, particularly Belfast and Glasgow, were judged significantly less likely to engage in criminal behavior. These accents were also viewed as more likely to intervene in situations of harassment. Notably, Glasgow and Belfast speakers were considered the least likely to commit sexual offenses.
Furthermore, the study revealed unexpected nuances in accent perception. While previous research often associated the Newcastle accent with positive traits like friendliness, this study yielded less favorable ratings for kindness, honesty, friendliness, and trustworthiness. Conversely, the Birmingham accent, often rated poorly in prior studies, fared better than several other accents, including Bradford, Bristol, Liverpool, London, and Newcastle. These findings underscore the complexity of accent perception and the potential for evolving social biases.
This research, conducted in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University and published in the journal Frontiers in Communication, emphasizes the importance of understanding how accents influence perceptions of guilt and criminality. By shedding light on these biases, the study encourages further investigation into the potential impact of accent on legal proceedings and societal judgments. The findings serve as a call for greater awareness and potential interventions within the criminal justice system to ensure fairness and impartiality, regardless of accent. Further research could explore the underlying reasons for these perceptions, potentially through qualitative studies investigating the specific characteristics of each accent that contribute to these judgments. Additionally, examining the influence of these perceptions on jury decisions and sentencing outcomes could provide valuable insights into the practical implications of this bias.
