Nagle Jacklyn E, Brodsky Stanley L, Weeter Kaycee
The University of Alabama, Department of Psychology, 505 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, U.S.A.
Behav Sci Law. 2014 Mar-Apr;32(2):195-206. doi: 10.1002/bsl.2112. Epub 2014 Mar 16.
It has been acknowledged that females exhibit more smiling behaviors than males, but there has been little attention to this gender difference in the courtroom. Although both male and female witnesses exhibit smiling behaviors, there has been no research examining the subsequent effect of gender and smiling on witness credibility. This study used naturalistic observation to examine smiling behaviors and credibility in actual witnesses testifying in court. Raters assessed the smiling behaviors and credibility (as measured by the Witness Credibility Scale) of 32 male and female witnesses testifying in trials in a mid-sized Southern city. "Credibility raters" rated the perceived likeability, trustworthiness, confidence, knowledge, and overall credibility of the witnesses using the Witness Credibility Scale. "Smile raters" noted smiling frequency and types, including speaking/expressive and listening/receptive smiles. Gender was found to affect perceived trustworthiness ratings, in which male witnesses were seen as more trustworthy than female witnesses. No significant differences were found in the smiling frequency for male and female witnesses. However, the presence of smiling was found to contribute to perceived likeability of a witness. Smiling female witnesses were found to be more likeable than smiling male and non-smiling female witnesses.
人们已经认识到，女性比男性表现出更多的微笑行为，但在法庭上，这种性别差异很少受到关注。尽管男性和女性证人都会表现出微笑行为，但尚未有研究考察性别和微笑对证人可信度的后续影响。本研究采用自然观察法，考察在法庭上作证的实际证人的微笑行为和可信度。评估人员对在南方一个中型城市的审判中作证的32名男性和女性证人的微笑行为和可信度（通过证人可信度量表衡量）进行了评估。“可信度评估人员”使用证人可信度量表对证人的受欢迎程度、可信度、自信程度、知识水平和整体可信度进行评分。“微笑评估人员”记录了微笑的频率和类型，包括说话/表达性微笑和倾听/接受性微笑。研究发现，性别会影响可信度评级，男性证人比女性证人被认为更值得信赖。男性和女性证人的微笑频率没有显著差异。然而，微笑的出现被发现有助于提高证人的受欢迎程度。微笑的女性证人比微笑的男性证人和不微笑的女性证人更受欢迎。
