Your current location:HOME >business >The Elle Woods effect: Good looking lawyers have more success in court, study finds 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 11:20:27 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
Whether it's Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones or Ally McBeal, plenty
Whether it's Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones or Ally McBeal, plenty of attractive lawyers have graced our TV screens.
But now, a study suggests that good looking lawyers really are more likely to win their cases and receive favourable rulings from judges.
And this advantage applies for both men and women – and at all levels of experience – it found.
As part of his study, a researcher from the University of Illinois gathered data on more than 1,000 US court cases and found pictures and courtroom videos of the attorneys involved.
He then asked a group of participants to rate the lawyers on their level of attractiveness.
A study suggests that good looking lawyers really are more likely to win their cases and receive favourable rulings from judges. Pictured: Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde
Analysis revealed that lawyers perceived as more attractive had enjoyed consistently higher success rates and were more likely to win cases outright.
The findings were consistent regardless of the race and gender of both the judges and lawyers – however, attractive female lawyers appeared to receive a slightly greater advantage, especially when arguing before male judges.
The researcher said the findings raise 'significant concerns' about the fairness of the justice system.
'I consider the main takeaway to be that 'judges are people too',' study author Nicholas Waterbury told PsyPost.
'When judges are overburdened with work they rely on some of the same mental shortcuts the rest of us use to make decisions.
'Researchers have shown in many settings that attractive individuals have advantages over less attractive counterparts.
this advantage applies for both men and women – and at all levels of experience – it found. Pictured: Colin Firth as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones
Analysis revealed that lawyers perceived as more attractive had enjoyed consistently higher success rates and were more likely to win cases outright. Pictured: Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal
'This research suggests that when judges need to quickly evaluate an attorney's argument they extend the same attractiveness advantage as everyone else.'
The study, titled 'Justice Isn't Blind', was published in the Journal of Law and Courts.
It reads: 'In this analysis, I have shown that attorney attractiveness significantly increases the chances of attorney success.
'Voting on the basis of attractiveness does not constitute rational decision-making.
'Attractiveness is not supposed to influence the outcome of legal disputes.
'These findings raise serious normative concerns about equality and underscore the need to adjust traditional models of judicial behaviour to account for inherent biases.'
Germany far2024-05-22 11:09
Blind people can hear and feel April's total solar eclipse with new technology2024-05-22 10:16
In Russia's Far East, a new heavy2024-05-22 09:56
European satellite falls out of orbit, breaks over Pacific2024-05-22 09:35
Haiti’s international airport reopens after gang violence2024-05-22 09:29
If you're retired or about to retire, think carefully about your tax strategy2024-05-22 09:29
Payton Pritchard scores a career2024-05-22 09:11
Artist Natalia Rak not told her Dunedin mural would be painted over2024-05-22 09:09
It's so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees2024-05-22 09:02
Duck! Flying squirrels take to the air in Nebraska city2024-05-22 08:51
Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco placed on IL and won't face his former team, the Mets2024-05-22 11:14
Astronomers spot previously unknown moons around Neptune, Uranus2024-05-22 10:57
Reid Detmers, bullpen limit Boston to 3 hits, Angels beat Red Sox 72024-05-22 10:36
Eating less meat would be good for the Earth. Small nudges can change behavior2024-05-22 10:33
South Carolina governor vetoes bills to erase criminal history in gun and bad check cases2024-05-22 10:02
Bakery outlets close across New England and New York2024-05-22 09:54
Here's a look at moon landing hits and misses2024-05-22 09:52
'Civil War' review: A haunting portrait of a crumbling United States2024-05-22 09:12
Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament2024-05-22 08:47
Moon landing: Odysseus marks first US landing in over 50 years2024-05-22 08:47