Presentation Abstract

Student's Name: Emily Webster '26

Co-registrant Names:

Type of Presentation: Poster

Presentation Title: "A Preliminary Analysis of Serial Killer, Non-offender, and Other Offender Eyes"

Abstract:

This research explores perceptions of sex differences in serial killing through social and evolutionary lenses. Participants' perceptions of trustworthiness, likability, and perceived danger of different eyes. Participants saw eyes from individuals who fall into three categories (serial killers, other offenders, and non-offenders) and two sexes (male and female). How eyes are perceived carry implications for forensic profiling and criminal justice, as stereotypes may lead to gendered biases in identifying and prosecuting offenders. Participants were recruited via flyers, RavenNation, social media platforms, and psychology course participation opportunities. The stimuli included cropped, black and white images of male/female serial killers, other offenders, and non-offenders in a randomized order to ensure no bias in image presentation. A 2 (sex) x 3 (offender type) repeated-measures MANOVA was conducted to examine the effects of gender and category of offence on the dependent variables. Based on prior research we predicted male serial killers to be rated as less trustworthy, likable, and more dangerous than female serial killers. Females were predicted to receive more lenient ratings due to societal and evolutionary stereotypes.

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