Attractiveness and Perceptions of Blameworthiness

• In Event: Perceived Crime Seriousness and Perceptions of Blame

Abstract

Physical appearance, or attractiveness, has been identified as influencing outcomes in the treatment of individuals across a variety of settings, from education to criminal justice. Most research on the influence of physical appearance in criminal justice outcomes has focused on the courts, specifically examining perceived attractiveness of offenders in jury findings of guilt and severity of sentencing outcomes. Research has not explicitly examined the effect of victim attractiveness on perceptions of blameworthiness and harm experienced in domestic violence or sexual assault situations. Utilizing a factorial vignette design and employing FaceGen to manipulate facial images, this study examines the role of attractiveness in assignment of blameworthiness of victims in such incidents.

Authors

• Brenda Sims Blackwell, Georgia Southern University

• Jennifer Wareham, Wayne State University

• Bonnie Berry, Social Problems Research Group

• Denise Paquette Boots, University of Texas at Dallas