Correcting Appearance Bias: A New Study
A recent study conducted by Columbia researchers has revealed a troubling bias in sentencing decisions, where facial characteristics perceived as 'untrustworthy' can tilt the scales towards a death sentence. Crucially, the study provides an intervention to help combat this bias.
The research team, led by Associate Professor of Psychology Jon Freeman, conducted four experiments involving 1,400 volunteers. They discovered that defendants viewed as having 'untrustworthy' facial features were more likely to be sentenced to death than life imprisonment. This bias was also reflected in mock jurors' recommendations.
However, the researchers developed an intervention that successfully reduced this bias. Unlike previous attempts that focused merely on raising awareness, this intervention targeted the subconscious by changing associations between specific facial features and perceived untrustworthiness. Participants were trained to associate 'untrustworthy' facial traits with trustworthy behaviors, weakening the subconscious link.
The intervention was successful in reducing both conscious and unconscious biases. This is a significant breakthrough, as unconscious biases can still influence behavior, notwithstanding unbiased conscious decisions.
The study primarily used white male faces to control for racial and gender biases, and follow-ups are being planned to include more diversity. The research underscores the disturbing real-world implications of facial bias and provides a promising approach to mitigate these biases. The team is now exploring ways to broadly apply and sustain this training intervention.