ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2018, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4): 698-709.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2018.00698

• Regular Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

 The effects of facial features on judicial decision making

 ZHANG Qian1; CHEN Linlin2; YANG Qun1   

  1.  (1 Department of Psychology, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China) (2 School of Law, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China)
  • Received:2017-03-08 Online:2018-04-15 Published:2018-02-28
  • Contact: YANG Qun, E-mail: qunyang@hznu.edu.cn E-mail:E-mail: qunyang@hznu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
     

Abstract:  Facial features including facial attractiveness, trustworthiness, maturity, racial clues, tattoos, facial expressions and other facial feature dimensions serve as important sources in social activities. Empirical research evidence and case studies demonstrate that facial features influence judicial-making in the process of judicial decision making such as in cases of judgment of civil compensation award or criminal punishment. The effect of facial features on judicial decision is modulated by many factors, such as criminal types, severity of the crime, professional legal training, individual beliefs, cognitive styles, attitudes and motivation of the decision makers. The effect of facial features on judicial decision making has been also found to relate with automatic information processing, stereotype activation, trait inference and the emotional arousal. Future studies should focus on the following topics: (1) external validity of the research; (2) cultural differences of the facial feature effect on judicial decision-making; (3) interactive effects of different facial features; (4) correction and adjustment of the facial features effect on judicial decision making in judicial practice.

Key words:  judicial decision making, facial attractiveness, facial trustworthiness, facial maturity, facial expression, criminal stereotypes

CLC Number: