Halo effect: Attractive people are more likely to be viewed positively on other aspects of behvaiour and personality. This is due the fact that the first traits we recognise in people influence how we interpret all later ones - often the first trait is appearance.
Research has shown this effect to also be applicable to courts, more attractive defendant are less likely to be found guilty and more likely to receive lighter sentences except in crimes where their attractiveness has been used in their favour. e.g. fraud.
Castellow's research illustrated how attractiveness can influence courtroom behaviour:
- Investigated whether attractiveness (of a defendant or vic) influenced the verdict given.
- P's read a case booklet detailing a fictional sexual assault.
- P's asked to reach a verdict and rate the defendant and victim on 11 bipolar scales.
- Found: attractive vic-unattractive def recieved guilty verdict 77% of the time. With unattractive vic-attractive def, guilty verdict given 41% of the time.
- Physically attractive defendants/vic rated positively on variables too.
- Appearance does indeed have a powerful effect on the jury, supported by other research. Defendents well advised to appear well dressed and groomed.
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