Perceptions of Authority

Madison Dellea

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: Forensic Psychology (M.A.)

Faculty Research Mentor: Christine Doyle

Abstract:

The present study investigated the effect appearance has on the perception of a stranger, along with the willingness to instill punishment on different individuals. Seventy-one participants completed a demographics questionnaire and 2 surveys after being presented with 1 of 2 photographs of a man. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference between the ratings of positive attributes and the severity of punishment for a polished and disheveled man. Specifically, it was hypothesized that the polished man would receive a higher rating of positive attributes and receive a lighter punishment than the disheveled man. In accordance with one of the hypotheses, it was found that the polished man was perceived as being more favorable than the disheveled man. However, counter to the second hypothesis, there was no significant difference between the polished and disheveled man when it came to the severity of punishment, t(68)=-.053, p=ns. Limitations of the current study include a low population count, a majority of female participants, and the possibility of social desirability. Future studies could benefit from having a larger population pool, while also implementing the biases of ethnicity and race by having more than 1 photo circulating during the survey process.