Overview
Shreyasi 'Cece' Desai got her BSc in Forensic Biology and Psychology at Abertay Univeristy, where she first heard a lecturer say "nobody was going to believe her if she talked like that". This led her to question how words can influence what a listener thinks of their speaker even if it is universally known to be a negative context. Over the next several years, she completed her bachelor's thesis and doctoral thesis on "The impact of hyperbole on the perception of testimonies from victims of sexual crime".
Her research interests lie at the intersection of psycholinguistics and forensic psychology; specifically in forensic pragmatics. She is interested in understanding how figurative language in particular can be used in forensic contexts such as in primary statements, and court testimonies and how it ultimately impacts the perception of the speaker. Her work has primarily concentrated on hyperbole and its place as a tool for emotional expression among victims of sexual crime.
Her current research focuses on nonfatal strangulation in domestic and sexual violence and the legal implementation of the new NFS law.
Additional Contact Information
Email: c.desai@bangor.ac.uk
Qualifications
- PhD: Psychology
University of Nottingham, 2023 - BSc: Forensic Biology and Psychology
Abertay University, 2018
Publications
2024
- PublishedLiteral vs. hyperbole: examining speech preferences in testimonies of victims of sexual crime
Desai, S. & Filik, R., Jul 2024, In: Psychology, Crime and Law.. 30, 5, p. 387-403
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printThe role of hyperbole in conveying emotionality: the case of victim speech.
Desai, S., Bailey, K. & Filik, R., 11 Oct 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Cognition and Emotion. 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedThe impact of hyperbole on perception of victim testimony
Desai, S., Mclean, J., Lawrence, C. & Filik, R., Mar 2021, In: Journal of Pragmatics. 174, p. 143-156
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review