Gitte Kristiansen, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

In this seminar focus is on different methods of conducting attitude research towards languages and language varieties. In each of the three sessions theory will intertwine with exposure to experimental setups and hands-on practice.

I. The cognitive basis of attitudes and stereotype formation. Categorization, social interaction, polarization, cognitive effort and prototype effects. Practice.

II. Types of experimental attitude research. Traditional (and not so traditional) sociolinguistic research. Surveys and questionnaires. Input from Social Psychology. Indirect and direct elicitation. Practice.

III. Experimental setup. What to do, what never to do. Stimuli and questionnaire design. Running the test. Practice.