Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

1-2024

Abstract

Accents are an important differentiator between groups which influence social perception and interaction, especially in a diverse country like Singapore. Social identity theory suggests that individuals would exhibit favoritism towards their own accents. However, the accent prestige theory demonstrates instances whereby foreign accents are perceived as more prestigious than one's own accent and are associated with more positive characteristics. This paper sought to explore which of these two theories is more prevalent in Singapore by comparing the perceptions of American English accents and local Singaporean English accents along the competence-warmth paradigm of the Stereotype Content Model. Further, the current research also sought to examine the mediating effect of competence/warmth on the relationship between accents and social influence. Study 1 showed that Singaporeans perceived American-accented speakers as significantly more competent (but not warmer) than local accented speakers. Furthermore, increased perceived competence significantly mediated the relationship between American accents and social influence. Study 2 further investigated perceived threat as a potential moderator in this mediating relationship. The findings replicated the accent-competence-social influence relations in Study 1 but found no effect of perceived threat. Taken together, the findings supported accent prestige towards American accents within Singapore. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Keywords

Accents, Competence, Perceptions, Singapore, Social influence

Discipline

Asian Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Research Areas

Sociology; Psychology

Publication

Asian Journal of Social Psychology

ISSN

1367-2223

Identifier

10.1111/ajsp.12600

Publisher

Wiley

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12600

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Asian Studies Commons

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