Positive prejudice towards disabled persons using synthesized speech: Does the effect persist across contexts?

In general, speech-disabled users of synthetic speech are viewed favorably compared to nondisabled users. The authors examined whether situational variables can affect this favorable view. Participants watched an actor deliver a persuasive appeal under conditions where speech (human vs. synthetic), disability status (unspecified vs. disabled), and situation (unspecified vs. telephone campaign) were varied. Perceptions of argument, message, voice, and speaker were assessed. Overall, synthetic speech was disliked but tolerated more when used by a disabled person. The authors also found that positive prejudice toward disabled speakers persisted when they were engaged in a negatively perceived activity. However, if the disabled speaker used synthetic speech for the negative activity, he or she was viewed negatively compared to a disabled speaker using human speech. Overall, the use of synthetic speech by the disabled does not necessarily damage people's perceptions of them. However, people may express some prejudice when a negative context creates enough ambiguity.