Sonya Karisma

Research Student

Research Program: Multisensory Communication

Thesis Title

A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Talker Familiarity on Speech Intelligibility by Native and Non-native Australian English Listeners

Research Project

Speech signal is evanescent and most of the time combined with other signals. It is also highly variable, and changes across contexts. As a result speech perception is filled with uncertainties. Being familiar with a talker is one factor that helps remove uncertainties in speech perception. Although studies have shown short-term benefits of talker familiarity on speech perception, there has been no research to date examining its long-term effects.

Therefore, for my PhD project, I am interested in examining the long-term benefits of talker familiarity on speech intelligibility. Moreover, given that listening to a non-native language in itself makes speech perception difficult, I am also interested in examining the long-term talker familiarity effects on non-native Australian English listeners.

Qualifications and Honours

• 2014 - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Psychology, Western Sydney University
• 2013 - Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies, Western Sydney University
• 2012 - Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling), Australian College of Applied Psychology

Awards

• 2014 - Golden Key Award, Golden Key International Honour Society
• 2012 & 2014 - Dean's Merit List, School of Psychology

Roles

• MARCS Research Assistant
• Psychology Tutor

Contact Sonya