Humans subconsciously mimic other accents
August 8th, 2010 - 7:59 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Aug 8 (IANS) Human brains imitate speech patterns of other people, even complete strangers, without meaning to due to an inbuilt urge of the brain to “affiliate” with them.
Researchers say humans want to “bond” with others, even when a voice cannot be heard or, somewhat embarrassingly, even if another person is a foreigner.
Scientists from the University of California at Riverside, found the subconscious copying of an accent comes from an inbuilt urge of the brain to “empathise and affiliate,” says a Telegraph report.
The findings, reported in the journal Attention, Perception and Psychophysics, concluded this happens when we cannot hear what is being said but are simply lip-reading.
“Humans are incessant imitators,” said Lawrence Rosenblum, a psychologist who led the study.
“We intentionally imitate subtle aspects of each other’s mannerisms, postures and facial expressions. We also imitate each other’s speech patterns, including inflections, talking speed and speaking time.”
“Sometimes we even take on the foreign accent of the person to whom we are talking, leading to embarrassing consequences,” Rosenblum added.
- Here's why we ape others' talking style, speed and even accents - Aug 06, 2010
- It's easier to understand others if you imitate their accents - Dec 07, 2010
- Why some TV programmes are painful to watch - Apr 14, 2011
- Speech perception involves multiple senses, not just hearing - Feb 12, 2009
- Brain imaging shows caregiving impulse - Mar 18, 2012
- Accents are a real turn-off for Scottish listeners - Nov 19, 2010
- Computers now better at lip-reading than humans - Sep 10, 2009
- Henry Higgins was born with ability to correct Fair Lady Eliza's accent - Mar 16, 2011
- Brit woman suffering migraine wakes up with French accent after nap - Sep 15, 2010
- British woman starts speaking in a Chinese accent after a severe attack of migraine - Apr 21, 2010
- Your brain corrects you morally - Jul 10, 2011
- Migraine Headache Gives British Woman Chinese Accent - Apr 21, 2010
- Imitation cements social bonding, say researchers - Aug 14, 2009
- 'Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes' is ape-solutely wonderful (IANS Movie Review - Rating: ****) - Aug 05, 2011
- How smells are detected and processed by the brain - Mar 26, 2011
Tags: accents, empathise, facial expressions, foreign accent, foreigner, human brains, imitators, inflections, lip reading, mannerisms, perception, postures, psychologist, rosenblum, speech patterns, subtle aspects, telegraph report, university of california, university of california at riverside, urge