Speech norms and perceptions of ethno-linguistic group differences: Toward a conceptual and research framework

• Published in: European journal of social psychology 1984-04, Vol.14 (2), p.151-168
• Main Authors: McKirnan, David J., Hamayan, Else V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social group/Social groups/Social grouping; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social norms; Social psychology; Speech/Speeches
• ISSN: 0046-2772; 1099-0992
• DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2420140203

Perceptions of social group membership are crucial both to social behaviour generally, and to social conflict: The basis for ingroup versus outgroup distinctions and the personal and social significance of such judgments are thus important areas of study. This paper describes a model of social norms as it applies to speech use and, in particular, the role of speech in perceptions of social groups. The context of this discussion is a general research and conceptual framework for studying perceptions of and reactions to social group differences. The framework is in three stages, consisting of the recognition of group differences, the ‘definition’ or evaluative interpretation of a given speech act, and the development of a ‘problem resolution’ or social change strategy. Social group distinctions are hypothesized to be based on shared norms, modelled here as structured expectancies regarding the behaviour appropriate to specific social contexts. Norms are seen as varying in their content, i.e. the specific behaviours that are socially evaluated, in their clarity, which controls the strength and certainty of social judgments based on norms, and in the size and nature of the social group sharing a given norm. The specific components of the norm model are discussed in light of existing data on language behaviour. The second stage of the model is briefly discussed via social psychological judgments that are hypothesized to control responses to a given speech event. This framework is hoped to have heuristic value in studying language use and social processes. Les perceptions de l'appartenance à un groupe social sont cruciales pour le comportement social en général et pour le conflit social. La base des distinctions in‐groups et out‐groups ainsi que la signification personnelle et sociale de tels jugements sont donc d'importants domaines d'études. Cet article décrit un modèle de normes sociales qui s'applique i l'emploi de la langue et, en particulier, au rǒle de la langue dans la perception de groupes sociaux. Le contexte de cette discussion est un cadre général et conceptuel de recherche pour étudier les perceptions des différences entre groupes sociaux et les réactions à celles‐ci. Le cadre comprend trois étapes : la reconnaissance des différences entre groupes, la “définition” ou l'interprétation d'un acte verbal détérmine et le développement d'une “solution” ou d'une stratégic de changement social. On énet l'hypothèse que les distinctions entre groupes sociaux