Some accents sound guiltier than others, researchers find
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People with a “posh” English accent are seen as least likely to commit most crimes, with the exception of sex offences, new research has suggested. A University of Cambridge study, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, sought to understand people’s perceptions around 10 different accents across the UK – and concluded listeners think some accents sound guiltier than others.
In terms of overall criminality, the authors found the RP accent was perceived as the least likely to behave in criminal ways, while the Liverpool and Bradford accents were the most likely. But when it came specifically to sexual touching without consent, the RP accent was rated third, behind cockney and Liverpool accents.
People with Glasgow and Belfast accents were thought by participants to be least likely to commit such an offence. The authors said theirs is the first research to identify links between listener perceptions of morality, criminality, and social traits and they warned of the disadvantage some people could face in the criminal justice system because of the way they speak.
The fact those speaking with a Received Pronunciation (RP), seen as posh, accent were perceived more likely to commit a sexual assault than any of the other offences tested could indicate a change in attitudes around who might carry out this type of crime, researchers said.
