When Police Officers Use Force Against Citizens: Not Just a Black and White Issue

The increased visibility of the use of force by police officers is due, in part, to individuals recording interactions with police on cellphones. While previous research has shown how police perception of citizens influences police behavior, few studies have focused on citizens’ perceptions of police, particularly on the extent to which citizens view police officers as threatening. Psychologists Jennifer Vonk and Virgil Zeigler-Hill will examine the associations between citizens’ worldviews, specifically the tendency to view the world as a dangerous or competitive place, and their perceptions of interactions between police officers and citizens. The researchers will show participants 20 video clips depicting actual altercations between police and drivers during traffic stops. Participants will be asked about their perceptions of the incident, including the threat posed to the police officer and the extent to which the behaviors of both parties were justified.