Explicit and implicit speaker evaluations and their differential attitudinal determinants

in Language Sciences (2018), 69

Previous speaker evaluation studies have traditionally assessed the influence of attitudes toward languages with explicit self-report measures. Social-cognitive theories positing a differential influence ... [more ▼]

Previous speaker evaluation studies have traditionally assessed the influence of attitudes toward languages with explicit self-report measures. Social-cognitive theories positing a differential influence of explicit and implicit attitudes on controlled versus automatic evaluative responses have not been addressed in this domain thus far. In addition to separating attitudes toward languages from attitudes toward nationality, the aim of this study was to test whether explicit and implicit speaker evaluations refer to distinct concepts. We expected that explicit attitudes would be stronger predictors of deliberate speaker evaluations than implicit attitudes would. By contrast, we expected that automatic evaluations examined with an evaluative priming task would primarily reflect implicit attitudes. Results showed that explicit speaker evaluations were influenced by explicit attitudes toward nationality, whereas implicit evaluations were mainly predicted by implicit attitudes toward nationality. The crucial role of speaker’s nationality in speaker evaluation processes is further discussed within the framework of implicit group processes. [less ▲]

Language and nationality attitudes as distinct factors that influence speaker evaluations: Explicit versus implicit attitudes in Luxembourg

in Language and Communication (2018), 61

Many language attitude models have proposed that attitudes towards a speaker’s linguistic aspects have an influence on evaluations of that speaker. However, only a little attention has been paid to how a ... [more ▼]

Many language attitude models have proposed that attitudes towards a speaker’s linguistic aspects have an influence on evaluations of that speaker. However, only a little attention has been paid to how a speaker’s nationality might affect speaker evaluations. We examined whether language and nationality attitudes, on both explicit and implicit levels, are distinct concepts, and whether these attitude types affect speaker evaluations. Findings confirmed the convergent and discriminant validity of language and nationality attitudes, thus confirming their conceptual distinctness. Moreover, explicit language attitudes affected explicit speaker evaluations, a finding that is discussed in the light of its implications for future research. [less ▲]

Wahrnehmung von Personen und ihren sozialen Räumen: Explizite versus implizite Verarbeitungsprozesse

Presentation (2017, July 07)

Ein Raum als primäres Medium der Architektur kann als ein soziokultureller Begegnungsort definiert werden, in dem verschiedene architektonische Konzepte auf den Menschen wirken (Günzel, 2010). Die soziale ... [more ▼]

Ein Raum als primäres Medium der Architektur kann als ein soziokultureller Begegnungsort definiert werden, in dem verschiedene architektonische Konzepte auf den Menschen wirken (Günzel, 2010). Die soziale Logik privater sowie öffentlicher Räume kann durch ihre individuelle Formen- und Strukturvielfalt als eigene Sprache wahrgenommen werden. Studien zur Wahrnehmung öffentlicher Plätze in der Stadt, im Büro, oder in medizinischen Einrichtungen haben allgemeine bauphysikalische Faktoren (z.B. Farben, Distanzen, Dimensionen) aufgedeckt, die einen Einfluss auf die Wahrnehmung sowie das Verhalten von Personen haben. Die Untersuchung des Einflusses menschlichen Verhaltens auf die Gestaltung und Wahrnehmung von Räumen stellt hingegen ein junges Forschungsfeld dar. Studien zur Erforschung der Wechselwirkung zwischen Mensch und Raum haben ergeben, dass ein Mensch mit seinen individuellen Erfahrungen ein aktiver Bestandteil von öffentlichen Plätzen ist und diese dadurch auch formt (z.B. Flade, 2008; Gehl & Svarre, 2013). Da bestimmte Plätze von verschiedenen Menschen (z.B. Studentenviertel, Geschäftsbezirk) geprägt sind, werden diese auch unterschiedlich wahrgenommen. In public space-life studies werden meistens explizite Erhebungsmethoden eingesetzt (z.B. systematische Beobachtung, Interviews), um mögliche Einflussfaktoren der Nutzung von öffentlichen Plätzen zu untersuchen. Da auch die individuellen Erfahrungen des Menschen einen Einfluss auf die Raumwahrnehmung und –nutzung haben können, scheint der Einsatz von impliziten Methoden eine vielversprechende Erweiterung. Implizite Methoden erheben automatische und oft unbewusste Reaktionen auf Stimuluskombinationen mittels computerbasierter Tests (z.B. Greenwald et al., 2000). Während explizite Verarbeitungsprozesse oftmals durch sozial erwünschte Vorstellungen beeinflusst sind, basieren implizite Prozesse auf individuell erlernten und somit automatischen Assoziationen zwischen bestimmten Konzepten und Valenzen (z.B. Greenwald et al., 2000). Unsere Beurteilungen und Verhaltenstendenzen sind sowohl durch explizite als auch implizite Prozesse geprägt (Wilson, Lindsey, & Schooler, 2000). In einer geplanten Studie in Luxemburg wird die Wahrnehmung des neuen Universitätscampus Belval durch eine Kombination von expliziten und impliziten Methoden untersucht. Das Ziel der Studie ist dabei die Untersuchung der Wahrnehmung von sozialen Räumen, welche sich durch das Vorhandensein oder die Abwesenheit von Personen unterscheiden. Die Ergebnisse der Gegenüberstellung expliziter und impliziter Wahrnehmungsprozesse können dabei wichtige Schlussfolgerungen für die Wirkung architektonischer Konzepte sowie vor allem die Wechselwirkung zwischen Mensch und Raum offenlegen. [less ▲]

Judging people and their language use: How attitudes towards languages and speakers’ nationality influence speaker evaluations in multilingual contexts, using Luxembourg as an example

Presentation (2016, March 21)

In social encounters, language is one of the most salient cues eliciting evaluative responses. According to models on language attitudes (e.g., Cargile, Giles, Ryan & Bradac, 1994), listeners` attitudes ... [more ▼]

In social encounters, language is one of the most salient cues eliciting evaluative responses. According to models on language attitudes (e.g., Cargile, Giles, Ryan & Bradac, 1994), listeners` attitudes towards the speaker`s language influence the evaluation of this speaking person. However, linguistic stimuli might evoke additional inferences, e.g. on speaker`s nationality. We are therefore experimentally testing whether attitudes towards languages and attitudes towards speaker`s nationality are two distinguishable constructs which has not been addressed in previous research. Furthermore, the distinction between implicit and explicit attitudes is examined, resulting in a theoretical framework of four distinct types of attitudes influencing speaker evaluations. Luxembourg`s linguistic context is determined by the existence of various languages spoken by different inhabitants. In the present study, the model is tested with Luxembourgish and French. Using a combination of explicit measures and an adapted audio Implicit Association Test (IAT; Greenwald et al., 2002), language and national attitudes of Luxembourgish university students are assessed. According our hypotheses, it is expected that language attitudes correlate moderately with national attitudes, providing evidence for the factorial separability. Results of regression analyses are discussed to give insight into the predictive impact of the four attitude types on speaker evaluations. A comparison between implicit and explicit attitudes is put into focus to demonstrate the model’s relevance. Overall, this study contributes to ascertaining the complexity of influencing factors on person perception based on linguistic cues by treating language and national attitudes as distinguishable constructs. [less ▲]

Judging people and their language use: How attitudes towards languages and language users affect speaker evaluations in multilingual contexts

Presentation (2015, November 26)

In multilingual contexts, such as in Luxembourg, individuals are exposed to various languages spoken by different inhabitants. An important question within the framework of person perception is to what ... [more ▼]

In multilingual contexts, such as in Luxembourg, individuals are exposed to various languages spoken by different inhabitants. An important question within the framework of person perception is to what extent language attitudes influence our evaluative responses (i.e., differential perceptions of languages effect perceptions of speakers of these languages). However, multilingualism not only concerns the differential perceptions of languages but also refers to perceptions of (nationality) groups speaking such languages. The present project focuses on the interplay of attitudes towards languages and (national) groups of language users and their impact on speaker evaluations. To this extent we are adapting and testing a model of person perception based on linguistic cues. In addition, the proposed theoretical model assigns particular importance to the distinction between implicit and explicit information processing, which may be involved in multilinguals’ attitudes towards languages and language users. [less ▲]