January 8, 2013 - In a study that offers insight into the depth of stigmatization of overweight and obese people, Rudd Center researchers found that weight stigma extends to the courtroom. Published online in the [I_nternational Journal of Obesity_,](http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/bias/Weight_Bias_Courtroom_IJO_1.13.pdf) the study shows that a defendant's body weight and gender impact jurors' perceptions of guilt and responsibility.
Researchers conducted an online study with 471 adult participants. They were presented with a mock court case, including images of alleged defendants. Participants viewed one of four defendant images: a lean male, a lean female, an obese male, and an obese female. After viewing the image, participants were then asked to rate how guilty they thought the defendant was.
Male participants rated the obese female defendant guiltier than the lean female defendant, whereas female respondents judged the two female defendants equally regardless of weight. Among all participants, there were no differences in assessment of guilt between the obese male and lean male defendants.
URL: http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/body-weight-and-gender-influence-judgment-in-the-courtroom
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