Topic 4: Psychology & the Courtroom: Dixon et al (2002)

Question 1

(Dixon) Aim of Dixon et al.’s study?

Answer 1

To test if a ‘Brummie’ accented suspect would receive a higher rating of guilt than one with a ‘standard’ accent.

Question 2

(Dixon) Describe the sample used in Dixon et al.’s study.

Answer 2

119 white undergraduates from Worcester University (not from Birmingham).

Question 3

(Dixon) What accent manipulations were used?

Answer 3

‘Brummie’ accent vs. ‘standard’ accent in a recorded police interview.

Question 4

(Dixon) What other variables were manipulated?

Answer 4

• Type of crime: blue-collar (armed robbery) or white-collar (cheque fraud).
• Race of suspect: black or white.

Question 5

(Dixon) How was guilt measured?

Answer 5

Participants rated guilt on a 7-point Likert scale.

Question 6

(Dixon) What was the effect of the ‘Brummie’ accent?

Answer 6

The ‘Brummie’ accented suspect received a higher guilt rating.

Question 7

(Dixon) Which condition received the highest guilt rating?

Answer 7

Black, blue-collar crime, ‘Brummie’ accent.