Do watching eyes influence antisocial behavior? A systematic review & meta-analysis
Dear, Dutton and Fox reviewed experiments that tested whether images of eyes reduce antisocial behaviour, a question not previously reviewed systematically even though eye cues on generosity had been questioned. They pooled experiments from a set of papers and found that eye images, such as photographs or stylised eyes, were associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of antisocial behaviour. They compared the size of the effect with estimates for CCTV cameras and argued that eye images could be a low-cost addition to crime-reduction policy, while calling for more research on how perceived surveillance affects decisions. The authors had expected the effect to be steadier for antisocial behaviour than for giving.
Dear, Dutton and Fox reviewed experiments that tested whether images of eyes reduce antisocial behaviour, a question not previously reviewed systematically even though eye cues on generosity had been questioned. They pooled experiments from a set of papers and found that eye images, such as photographs or stylised eyes, were associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of antisocial behaviour. They compared the size of the effect with estimates for CCTV cameras and argued that eye images could be a low-cost addition to crime-reduction policy, while calling for more research on how perceived surveillance affects decisions. The authors had expected the effect to be steadier for antisocial behaviour than for giving.
Written from the abstract, University of Birmingham research portal.
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Dear, K., Dutton, K., & Fox, E. (2019). Do watching eyes influence antisocial behavior? A systematic review & meta-analysis. Evolution and Human Behavior, 40(3), 269-280. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2019.01.006