scholarly journals Assertive, but Less Competent and Trustworthy? Perception of Police Officers with Tattoos and Piercings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Hauke-Forman ◽  
Nicole Methner ◽  
Susanne Bruckmüller
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Social Perception ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Perception Of Police ◽  
Opposing Effects ◽  
Body Modifications ◽  
Political Question

AbstractThere is an ongoing debate whether police officers should be allowed to wear tattoos or piercings on visible parts of the body or not. One argument often brought forward against it is that such body modifications would cue negative evaluations of officers by citizens that would impede officers’ fulfillment of their duties. Yet, empirical evidence for this claim is missing. The present research aims to close this gap by examining how citizens perceive police officers with tattoos and piercings. In an experiment, participants saw edited photographs of police officers with and without tattoos (study 1) or piercings (study 2). They rated each officer regarding communion, agency, likability, respect, and threat. We found that, as expected, police officers with tattoos and piercings were perceived as less trustworthy and less competent, were liked somewhat less, and triggered higher perceptions of threat. In addition, police officers with tattoos (but not with piercings) were perceived as less friendly and more assertive. Regarding respect, we found no differences between officers with and without body modifications. While our empirical results cannot answer the societal and political question whether police officers should be allowed to wear tattoos and piercings or not, experimental psychological research can contribute to the respective discussions by providing an empirical basis. Our findings further have important theoretical implications, as the opposing effects on competence and assertiveness underline the importance of distinguishing between these two facets of agency in research on social perception and judgment.

Introduction to the special section on Increasing Replicability, Transparency, and Openness in Clinical Psychology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Tackett ◽  
Josh Miller
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Data Sharing ◽  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Clinical Psychologists ◽  
Existing Problems

As psychological research comes under increasing fire for the crisis of replicability, attention has turned to methods and practices that facilitate (or hinder) a more replicable and veridical body of empirical evidence. These trends have focused on “open science” initiatives, including an emphasis on replication, transparency, and data sharing. Despite this broader movement in psychology, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have been largely absent from the broader conversation on documenting the extent of existing problems as well as generating solutions to problematic methods and practices in our area (Tackett et al., 2017). The goal of the current special section was to bring together psychopathology researchers to explore these and related areas as they pertain to the types of research conducted in clinical psychology and allied disciplines.

scholarly journals Colonial Origins of Inequality in Hispanic America? Some Reflections Based on New Empirical Evidence

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Dobado González ◽  
Héctor García Montero
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
International Comparison ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Material Welfare

AbstractThis paper attempts to contribute to the ongoing debate on the historical roots of the high economic inequality of contemporary Iberian America. Our approach, which is basically empirical, departs from the mainstream scholarship. We show new data on wages and heights in several viceroyalties that (1) suggest relatively medium-to-high levels of material welfare among the commoners in Bourbon Hispanic America; and (2) allow us to build indexes of economic inequality. An international comparison of those indexes casts some doubts on the widely accepted view that Viceroyal America’s economy was exclusively based on extremely unequal or extractive institutions, as it has been popularized by the influential works by Engerman and Sokoloff and Acemogluet al.

scholarly journals Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 241-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zerrin Atakan
Keyword(s):  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vulnerability Factors ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Biochemical Basis ◽  
Neurotransmitter System ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Opposing Effects ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Brain

Cannabis is a complex plant, with major compounds such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, which have opposing effects. The discovery of its compounds has led to the further discovery of an important neurotransmitter system called the endocannabinoid system. This system is widely distributed in the brain and in the body, and is considered to be responsible for numerous significant functions. There has been a recent and consistent worldwide increase in cannabis potency, with increasing associated health concerns. A number of epidemiological research projects have shown links between dose-related cannabis use and an increased risk of development of an enduring psychotic illness. However, it is also known that not everyone who uses cannabis is affected adversely in the same way. What makes someone more susceptible to its negative effects is not yet known, however there are some emerging vulnerability factors, ranging from certain genes to personality characteristics. In this article we first provide an overview of the biochemical basis of cannabis research by examining the different effects of the two main compounds of the plant and the endocannabinoid system, and then go on to review available information on the possible factors explaining variation of its effects upon different individuals.

Who Am I? Who Are We? Exploring the Factors That Contribute to Work-Related Identities in Policing†

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela L Workman-Stark
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Psychological Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Fair Treatment ◽  
Occupational Role ◽  
Secondary Survey ◽  
Female Officers

Abstract Using social identity theory, this study examines the conditions under which police officers become attached (or not) to their organization and to their work, and whether one’s sex influences these relationships. Through an analysis of secondary survey data collected from a large Canadian police organization, the study found that fair treatment and psychological safety were significantly related to officers’ identification with their organization, and in turn, their work. The findings also demonstrated that when officers perceived their workplace as a masculinity contest, they were less likely to identify with their organization. Additionally, perceptions of a masculinity contest were associated with a greater likelihood that officers reported lower levels of psychological safety, and this effect was more significant for female officers. While women overall were no less likely than men to be attached to their organization or their occupational role, women who perceived their workplace as psychologically less safe reported lower levels of identification. The study also found that race and level within the organization may have a greater effect than sex on work-related identification. Overall, the study makes a significant contribution to the nascent literature on work-related identification and policing, as well as to the body of research on women in policing.

Tap and Swipe Activity Zones on Smartphones for Novice Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-39
Author(s):  
Paula Alexandra Silva ◽  
Roxanne Leitão ◽  
Maureen K Kerwin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Performance ◽  
Tactile Interaction ◽  
Practical Information ◽  
The Right

This article investigates tactile interaction on smartphones with adults aged 65 or older who were considered to have a novice level of skill with technology. Two experiments with two different groups of 40 Portuguese adults adds empirical evidence to the field and shows that older adult performance for tapping is best toward the center, right edge, and bottom right corner of the smartphone display. Results also show that a participant's performance of horizontal swipes is better with targets toward the bottom half of the display, while participant's performance of vertical swipes is better with targets toward the right half of the display. This article contributes to the body of research on the design of user interfaces for smartphones and mobile applications targeted at older adults, as well as providing practical information for designers and practitioners developing products that are more universally accessible.

The formation of suspicion: A vignette study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-284
Author(s):  
Scott W Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Police Training ◽  
The Body ◽  
Police Culture ◽  
Heuristics And Biases ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Vignette Study ◽  
Police Agencies ◽  
Survey Results

Being suspicious is part of police training, and is emphasized in police culture. Tversky and Kahneman argued that people make decisions based on a limited number of heuristic factors to reduce a complex task to likely probabilities ( Tversky A and Kahneman D [1974] Judgment under uncertainty: heuristics and biases. Science 185[4157]: 1124–1131). This study contributes to the body of scholarship studying police suspicion. It uses vignettes describing an incident involving characteristics important when police officers form suspicion. This design allows respondents to judge a situation before actual engagement. A convenience sample of police officers, supervisors, and administrators from police agencies of different sizes located in two different states responded to an online survey. Results demonstrated that the time of an event, the person’s race, and their manner of dress, contributed to the formation of suspicion. Other factors (i.e., suspect age, neighborhood) were not significantly related to suspicion. Further, respondents with few years of experience were more likely to see the conditions within a vignette as suspicious. The findings indicate that unacceptable stereotyping can result from using scanty or outdated heuristic tools to simplify decision-making. Further, there is a need for additional research examining the conditions related to suspicion formation.

The Principle of Transparency and the Social Perception of the Representatives of Pre-Trial Procedure Authorities

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-29
Author(s):  
Marta Kowalczyk-Ludzia
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Social Judgments ◽  
Theoretical Assumption ◽  
Trial Procedure ◽  
The Social ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
Remedial Actions ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Sense Of Justice

Social judgments regarding the assessment of the work of the representatives of the preparatory proceedings organs are often formulated prematurely. Actions taken in favor of properly conducted proceedings often require commitment, which is difficult to qualify in specific assessment categories. Advances in technology mean that committing offences is often simpler, resulting in the possibility of committing more and more new crimes (including, among others, cybercrime). Such realities oblige the representatives of the procedural authorities to take effective remedial actions to combat criminogenic behavior, which sometimes correlates with taking actions that are on the fringes of the law or ethics (among others, Art. 168 a and 168 b of KPK (the Code of Criminal Procedure)). The effectiveness of the preparatory proceedings carried out is therefore dependent on many factors, the derivative of which is the decision of the trial resolution, which, in the theoretical assumption, should meet not only the statutory objectives of the proceedings, but also be a testimony to achieve a social sense of justice. The stereotypical verification of the work of prosecutors and the Police officers makes it difficult to make a proper assessment of the actions taken by them, thus distorting the actual image of the bodies of proceedings. The subject and purpose of this study is to emphasize the social perception of the representatives of the organs of preparatory proceedings. The theoretical reflections were formulated on the basis of the developed conclusions from the analysis of the court files examined.

Testing the impact of physiological stress response on police performance during critical job tasks

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois James ◽  
Michael S. Goldstein ◽  
Peter Lecy ◽  
Stephen Mase
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

PurposeTo add to the existing body of knowledge on the relationship between stress and job performance in policing, we monitored police officers' physiology using Hexoskin shirts while they responded to simulated scenarios.Design/methodology/approachWe employed mixed repeated measures (baseline, intervention, post-intervention), between groups (treatment vs control group) design. Using this approach, our aims were (1) to determine whether an individualized physiological stress profile—a combination of heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) index and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index—could be developed for each participant; (2) to investigate the association between physiological stress and scenario performance and (3) to pilot test an intervention for decreasing physiological stress in real time.FindingsWe found that it was possible to individualize physiological stress profiles for each participant that alerted us when the participant was becoming stressed. We also found that physiological stress was significantly and negatively/inversely associated with scenario performance. However, our intervention to try and decrease participants' stress in real time was not successful. Several key lessons can be taken from our attempt that could inform future efforts in this area.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a small pilot study, precluding generalizability of results. Furthermore, our intervention was simplistic and potentially affected by an experimenter effect. Future research should explore better ways to intervene when officers are becoming physiologically stressed to help them overcome stress in real time and safeguard against the cumulative effects of stress on health and performance.Originality/valueThis research adds to the body of knowledge on physiological stress and job-task performance in police officers.

Exploring citizen satisfaction with police in India

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Madan ◽  
Mahesh K. Nalla
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Police Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Citizen Satisfaction ◽  
Police Deviance ◽  
Perception Of Police ◽  
Older Citizens ◽  
Satisfaction With Police

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine citizens’ perception of police in India, particularly the authors examine the factors influencing citizen satisfaction with the police in India. Design/methodology/approach – Using survey data collected from the residents in a neighborhood of the capital city and from the passengers on a 41-hour-1,281 miles journey traveling from the northern part to the southern part of the country and return via Indian Railways, this study empirically analyzed citizens’ perceptions of police and factors that accounted for the variation in Indian citizens’ assessment of police. Consistent with the literature, this study integrates a broader range of explanatory variables to explain citizens’ perceptions toward police, including demographic characteristics, views about professionalism in police, police performance, fairness, police corruption, and citizens’ perceptions about their safety in their neighborhood. Findings – Older citizens reported higher satisfaction with the police. Among the contextual characteristics, the authors find a positive relationship between perceived police performance, fairness, professionalism, and citizen satisfaction with police. As expected, perceived police deviance is associated with lower citizen satisfaction with police. Practical implications – Findings of the study provide Indian police administrators with important references and directions to improve police performance and move to increase citizen satisfaction about police. It also adds to the limited literature on citizens’ perceptions of the police in India. Originality/value – This study is an attempt to systematically assess the citizens’ perception of police in India. The researchers believe that this as an original contribution in the body of criminal justice research, particularly to the scholarship on policing in India. Moreover, the examination of citizens’ satisfaction of police highlights their detailed views about professionalism of police, police performance, corruption, fairness and their perceptions about the safety in their neighborhood.

scholarly journals White civilians’ implicit danger evaluation of police officers underlies explicit perception of police

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo J. Olivett ◽  
David S. March
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Police Reform ◽  
Implicit Processes ◽  
Explicit Attitudes ◽  
Perception Of Threat ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Perception Of Police ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractThe role of implicit processes during police-civilian encounters is well studied from the perspective of the police. Decades of research on the “shooter bias” suggests that implicit Black-danger associations potentiate the perception of threat of Black individuals, leading to a racial bias in the decision to use lethal force. Left understudied are civilians’ possible associations of police with danger and how such associations pervade behavior and explicit views of the police. The current work begins to address this gap. In two within-subjects studies, we separately assess police-threat (i.e., safety/danger) and police-valence (i.e., good/bad) associations as well as their relative influences on explicit perceptions of police. Study 1 revealed that implicit threat evaluations (police-danger associations) more strongly predicted negative explicit views of the police compared to implicit valence evaluations (police-negative associations). Study 2 replicated these findings and suggests that individuals evaluate the police as more dangerous versus negative when each response is pitted against each other within single misattribution procedure trials. The possible implications for explicit attitudes toward police reform and behavior during police-civilian encounters are discussed.

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