Victim Attractiveness and Perceptions of Responsiblity in an Ambiguous Rape Case

Abstract

This study tests the main hypothesis that the physical attractiveness of the victim in a rape case affects people's judgments of her responsibility when the details of the case leave unclear whether or not a rape actually took place. Male and female subjects read a description of an alleged rape and were shown photographs of the alleged victim (attractive or unattractive) and defendant (attractive or unattractive). It was found that people tend to be biased against the attractive victim, but biased in favor of the attractive defendant. Results are discussed in terms of an exception to the “beautiful is good” stereotype and the difficulty of obtaining convictions in rape cases.