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Abstract
Accents play an important role in the intergroup dynamics of the United States as they function as distinct markers of group categorization, signaling regional, national, or cultural identities (Giles & Rakić, 2014). Using Communication Accommodation Theory, this research examines the relationship between a speaker’s accent, appearance, and the accommodation they receive, focusing on attitudes towards Asian accents given the increase in hostility towards these communities since the onset of COVID-19 (Strochlic, 2020). The moderating roles of accent beliefs, anti-Asian American stereotypes, colorblind racism, and assimilation beliefs were also investigated. Participants (n = 364) were exposed to one of four conditions with visual and audio stimuli combining accents of varying prestige level and pictures with different culturally-targeted beauty standards. Counter to the researcher’s predictions, speakers with low prestige accents received the most accommodation from White participants.