Heat maps capture hard truth: Walking home at night is different for men and women
Researchers asked people what they noticed while walking home at night -- and the differences between men and women were stark. The study, led by Brigham Young University Prof. Robbie Chaney, showed insight into what it is like to walk home as a woman. Nearly 600 people took part in the study, published in March in the journal Violence and Gender, which provided insight into the constant scanning women are apt to do as they walk in the dark.
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Dark Staircase This image, shared by researchers, showed women were scanning the perimeter, such as bushes and dark areas next to the path. Meanwhile men tended to focus on the path or fixed object. (Images courtesy of the journal, Violence and Gender)
Campus tunnel This image provided by researchers shows how women often engage in scanning in low-light, enclosed spaces, reflecting learned safety behaviours in areas. In this image men were more focused on the path ahead and the centre of the tunnel under the light. (Images courtesy of the journal, Violence and Gender)
Underpass walkway "It would be nice to work towards a world where there is no difference between the heat maps in these sets of images," lead author Robbie Chaney said. While women scanned along the edges — paying close attention to dark corners, columns, and areas that suggest where someone could be hiding, men tend to fixate on the open pathway ahead. (Images courtesy of the journal, Violence and Gender)
Safety on a night walk When shown this poorly lit pedestrian path, women’s gazes followed the shadows – lingering on bushes, grassy areas and dimly lit spaces next to the path. Meanwhile men largely kept their eyes on the walkway itself or the vanishing point ahead. (Images courtesy of the journal, Violence and Gender)
Open university courtyard This image provided by researchers showed women looked more toward the outer edges — doors, windows and shaded building areas — a habit of checking surroundings. Meanwhile men tended to focus on the centre of the space and compass rose on the ground. (Images courtesy of the journal, Violence and Gender)
