Factors Influencing Perceptions of Guilt

Study 1: Google images was used to collect images of 10 male and 10 female criminals. It was hypothesized that criminals would be depicted showing their right cheek more than their left. Each image was then coded for cheek orientation (left or right). Overall results showed no significant cheek bias towards one cheek or the other, however individual criminals (except one) showed a preference for one cheek over the other.

Study 2: It was hypothesized that individuals would perceive criminals offering their right cheek as more guilty than criminals offering their left cheek. Participants looked at images of models who displayed a neutral expression using either their left or right cheek. Results indicted that there was no difference in guilt perception for male and female models.