Monday 23 May 2011

Looks

I read an article based on a paper recently that concluded you could tell if someone were criminal from how they look.  I was astounded at the bad science behind it - there was no attempt to mitigate for, or even mention, the possibility that it was hairstyle or someone generally looking like they have had a hard life that provided the (somewhat weak) correlation with criminality.  Personally I don't think this study can conclude anything - in which case why did they bother?

As an aside - there is evidence that better looks are correlated with higher IQ.  I know it is with me anyway ;)

The weakest correlation was with rapists - suggesting (to me) that men from all walks of life can be capable of rape, whereas someone who is in a gang, or trailer park, etc, is much more likely to commit and be caught for murder than some white collar dude.

Anyway, here are some of the pics used in the research.  I'll post the answers and link the paper in a few days' time to give you a chance to see how you do!

Who are the criminals? 

11 comments:

G said...

3, 7 and 12...cool game :)

Anonymous said...

They all look disgusting, except #10. He's kind of a cutie pie.

I just assume all people are, or are capable of any crime. That's what I've learned from experience. Even if it's not someone's proclivity to do something violent or perverse, they can do it. That Stanford experiment with the prisoner/guard scenario proved that much if you want hard scientific proof.

#1,4,6,7,9 and 12 look like they've had a not so great life.

Erika said...

They all are....

Hey, #7 actually looks a lot like my best friend lol

Strange how similar the resemblance is....

Ana said...

yeah they all look criminal...

I highlight # 6 who looks a twisted psycho killer...to me...

Kelly said...

#3 looks like Ross, from Friends. lol. Yeah, the reality is, you can't tell. I remember reading some fucked up article saying that people whose ears were more pointed than rounded were more evil than the rounded ears people. maybe you've heard or read that, too. I don't know. I had a disturbing episode in high school many decades ago where this guy I was just starting to become friends with, suddenly turned to me, as we were driving down the road and said, in all seriousness, that I looked like a rapist. Not only did it shock me as a 15 year old kid but it hurt my feelings, as well. I was anything but a rapist. Shit, I didn't even have sex until I was 21 and never thought about raping anyone before. After he said that shit, I didn't hang with him much after that. That's a hell of a thing to say to someone.

ResCogitans said...

lol kelly maybe he was projecting some personal issues ;)
i haven't heard any urban myths about rounded ears but my gf said to me one day "you have attached earlobes, that means you're a criminal". no idea where she got that from.
i'll post the answers tomorrow and we can see if there is any ear correlation!

ResCogitans said...

paper is here if you're interested.

the crims out of those 12 guys are:
3 - rape
4 - assault
5 - arson
8 - drug dealer
10 - arson
11 - drug dealer

Ana said...

oh...i knew i would get that wrong. first calls are often right. but that #6 still looks psycho :p
i will read the article tomorrow.

attached earlobes means evolution :) like people who don't have the wisdom teeth, since it's not needed anymore, it starts to disappear. same as detached and big earlobes/ears.

no one said...

I am reminded of this lovely post by maddox.

Anonymous said...

I heard somewhere that sociopaths can't smile properly even if they try, it's a more of a constant smirk.

Steph said...

aww I thought #8 looked like the rapist!