With Celebrity Traitors entering its final week, body language and behavioural expert Darren Stanton has assessed which remaining Faithfuls could have the edge in the battle against this season’s strong group of Traitors.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton explains how accents can influence the way people perceive others. He says an accent can play a “subtle but powerful role” in shaping instant subconscious judgments.
Stanton believes Michael Sheen has “a massive advantage” because of his soft Welsh accent. He says people often associate the accent with “sincerity and emotional intelligence”. This may have helped Sheen build trust with the other contestants.
However, Stanton believes Sheen may need another Faithful to help expose the Traitors.
Powerful role
“Accent plays a powerful role in how people are perceived, especially in a setting like The Traitors, where trust is everything,” said Stanton.
“We make instant judgments based on how someone sounds.
“A soft Welsh accent, like Michael Sheen’s, can come across as very open. People often associate it with sincerity and emotional intelligence. That can make it easier to build trust quickly.
“In The Traitors, this can give someone a massive advantage. If people believe you are genuine, they are less likely to question your motives.
“However, people may also see someone with a kind or heart-led personality as less strategic. That could make it harder for Michael to convince others that he has spotted a Traitor.
“He should be able to remain in the game as a Faithful. However, he may need other contestants to take down the Traitors.”
Sense of authority
“A Scottish accent, like Sharon Rooney’s, often conveys a sense of authority and control. It’s a tone that people listen to, it commands attention.
“That can help someone to appear confident and decisive, which are strong leadership traits.
“But in The Traitors, leadership can also draw suspicion.
“Those who sound assertive can become targets simply because they appear to be directing others.
“Successful traitors contestants tend to avoid being too vocal or obvious, and that’s harder to do if people instinctively defer to your voice.
“I think with Sharon though, she’s got a long way through the process because she’s played it incredibly astutely.
Right balance
“She hasn’t asked too many questions, she hasn’t tried to stand out, but equally, she hasn’t tried to be completely innocuous and blend into the background. She’s got the right balance.
“Having got to this stage of the game, her naturally authoritative accent could help her lead the charge against the Traitors.
“The Irish accent, like Joanne McNally’s, has a natural warmth and musicality to it. It’s often perceived as friendly, empathetic and engaging, which can help build quick rapport.
“In psychological terms, that rapport is key, those who can make others feel safe and understood are more likely to manipulate effectively.
“When trust is established, people will generate their own evidence to support the belief that you’re being truthful, even if you’re not.
“This would have made her a great Traitor, but similarly to Sharon, it could help her lead the charge against the remaining Traitors.”
READ NEXT: Rolling Stone reveals top 200 greatest rock songs of the 21st century
