Perception of atypical voices
Features of the human voice can influence personality judgements, which can be extremely problematic in high-stakes scenarios such as police interviews.
This area is yet to be explored with speakers who do not have ‘typical’ voices. In this project, we will explore how speech pathologies, using a second language, and/or communicating via an interpreter shape perceptions of speakers in the context of police interviews.
We have collected a database of simulated police interviews featuring interviewees with ‘atypical’ voices, and will use this resource to assess the impact of different voice features on perceptions of interviewees. Three areas will be explored: whether having an ‘atypical’ voice impacts person perception and speech intelligibility, and how this may translate into biases in decision-making; how ‘atypical’ speakers experience how others perceive them; and other participants’ perceptions and experiences of interacting with ‘atypical’ speakers.
This project will improve understanding of how perception of atypical voices could negatively impact individuals in high-stakes settings. This will allow us to raise awareness of - and ultimately address - such issues. The database we have created will be available to other researchers to facilitate further studies both within and beyond this area, improving our broader understanding of the impact of vocal features on perceptions in social justice settings.
Project team
- Lotte Eijk, Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Dr Sarah Knight, Lecturer in Psychology, Newcastle University
- Dr Eloísa Monteoliva García, Senior Lecturer in Translation and Interpreting Studies and Director of Professional Language Training
- Dr James Tompkinson, Lecturer in Sociolinguistics