DESCRIPTION
The attractiveness of a person, their gender, occupation, or clothing are one of the first things we notice about a person, and therefore, play an important role when we form a first impression of someone. Within the legal system, factors like attractiveness, gender, clothing or occupation of the defendant are known as extra-legal factors and are defined as information that should be irrelevant to the case and its sentencing decisions. However, research has shown that especially facial attractiveness and gender can systematically bias jurors’ decision making in court. However, as these findings do not seem to be consistent more research is needed. In this project, we aim to test if and how different extra-legal factors (e.g., attractiveness, gender, occupation, social status, clothing) can impact sentencing decisions.
(POSSIBLE) RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The precise focus of the project may also be influenced by the students interest. Exemplary research questions may include:
1. Does the defendant’s physical attractiveness influence sentencing decisions?
2. Does the “Beauty is good”-effect be cancelled out when we learn more about the circumstances of the crime?
TYPE OF RESEARCH
Experimental, possibly online
KEY WORDS
Physical attractiveness, gender, sentencing decision, punishment, type of crime
INFORMATION
This project is open to up to 1 student.
Please contact Steven Watson (s.j.watson@utwente.nl) when you are interested in this assignment.
LITERATURE
Dion, K. K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of personality and social psychology, 24(3), 285.
Efran, M. G. (1974). The effect of physical appearance on the judgment of guilt, interpersonal attraction, and severity of recommended punishment in a simulated jury task. Journal of Research in Personality, 8(1), 45-54.
Mazzella, R., & Feingold, A. (1994). The Effects of Physical Attractiveness, Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Gender of Defendants and Victims on Judgments of Mock Jurors: A Meta Analysis1. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 24(15), 1315-1338.
Sigall, H., & Ostrove, N. (1975). Beautiful but dangerous: Effects of offender attractiveness and nature of the crime on juridic judgment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31(3), 410.