Accent Processing as Parallel Phonological Systems and Cognitive Dissonance

Knight Research Scholars Program Project

Accent Processing as Parallel Phonological Systems and Cognitive Dissonance

Learn about this research project, meet the faculty and student researchers, review participation expectations, and check current availability.

Project Availability

Team Size
8 team members
Open Spots
0 Team currently full
Affiliations
College of Sciences
Team Leaders
Faculty Mentors

  • Mustapha Mouloua, PhD

  • Ancuta Margondai, PhD

Team Member Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:
Must be available for regular, scheduled in-person data collection sessions. Reliable attendance is critical as sessions involve human participants and specialized equipment. Respectful and culturally sensitive when working with diverse participants. Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow ethical research protocols. Open to training in EEG/neurophysiological data collection. Eager to learn statistical analysis techniques and research software. Receptive to feedback and continuous improvement. This research project welcomes students from any major or field of study. We will provide comprehensive training in all technical skills needed including equipment setup and operation.

Required Qualifications:
CITI Training Certification (or willingness to complete it immediately upon acceptance) Human Subjects Research training must be completed before beginning work with participants.

Description

This study evaluates the cognitive and emotional mechanisms involved in processing accented English speech and whether accent comprehension engages processes similar to bilingual language switching. Specifically, the study compares two listener groups:

English Monolinguals: Individuals with minimal foreign language exposure.

Bilinguals: Individuals proficient in English and at least one additional language.

The study also evaluates responses across four accent conditions presented within subjects:

American Accent: Baseline / highly familiar condition.
British Accent: Moderately familiar accent condition.
Indian Accent: Less familiar accent condition.
Russian Accent: Least familiar accent condition.

Stimuli being evaluated:
AI-generated English sentences presented in four accent blocks (American, British, Indian, Russian) during a laboratory listening task. Accent blocks are counterbalanced across participants. Sentences include both simple and complex grammatical structures. Accent switch and repetition trials are embedded to assess processing dynamics.

Instruments being administered (not evaluated for psychometric properties):
• Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q)
• Big Five Personality Inventory
• Need for Cognitive Closure – Short Form
• Tolerance of Ambiguity – Short Form
• Subjective Listening Rating Scales (difficulty, effort, comfort, conflict, expectation match, accent familiarity)
• Speaker Evaluation Ratings (intelligence, competence, friendliness, clarity, trustworthiness, likeability, confidence)

Neurophysiological measures:
• EEG (event-related potentials associated with phonological processing and expectation violations)
• ECG-derived heart rate variability (autonomic regulation and cognitive load)
• Galvanic Skin Response (sympathetic arousal)

Physiological signals are used to assess cognitive load and emotional arousal during accent processing. The study evaluates listener responses to accent type and language background, not the diagnostic validity of the physiological recording systems