Cambridge Researchers Identify Accents Perceived as Guiltier Than Others

Cambridge: Researchers at the University of Cambridge have made an interesting discovery. They found that some accents sound guiltier than others. This study was done with Nottingham Trent University.

They looked at ten different UK accents, including those from cities like Liverpool and Birmingham. Participants listened to these accents and rated them on various traits.

Surprisingly, the Received Pronunciation (RP) accent was seen as the least likely to commit crimes. In contrast, the Liverpool and Bradford accents were viewed as more suspicious. For sexual offenses, RP ranked third, behind Cockney and Liverpool accents.

The researchers noted a shift in how people perceive who might commit such crimes. Alice Paver, the lead author, mentioned that this challenges old stereotypes about class and crime.

The study involved 180 people who rated the accents based on traits like intelligence and honesty. They also assessed behaviors like returning lost wallets and standing up for others.

While the participant group was small, the researchers believe it still represents the UK well. Paver emphasized that accents can impact perceptions in the criminal justice system.

She pointed out that voices can influence how police, lawyers, and juries judge individuals. It’s concerning that some accents are unfairly labeled as guiltier than others.