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Alternative Title
Using an escalation of commitment framework to investigate shooting decisions
Publication Date
2016-05-09
Document Type
Honors Project
Department
Psychology
Keywords
Shooting-Decision making, Discrimination, Decision making, Police psychology, Social psychology, Racism, Shooter bias, Escalation of commitment, Implicit bias, Weapons bias, Police violence, Policing
Abstract
This study introduces escalation of commitment as a potential explanatory framework for police shooter bias outcomes. In a 2 X 2 experiment incorporating elements of Correll et al (2002), participants were asked to role-play police officers in scenarios where they encountered Black or White targets, were given choices to interact with, and pursue, targets, and ultimately, to stand suddenly face-to-face with the target (who was holding a cell phone or wallet) and make a split-second decision to “shoot” or “duck for cover.” Shooting outcomes within this study did not reveal the typical shooter bias. An effect for race was present but in the opposite direction compared to classic shooter bias findings: White targets were more likely to be shot than Black targets. However, many participants chose not to pursue targets and of those that did, chose to duck for cover far more frequently than to shoot. These atypical findings may arise as a consequence of scenario instructions emphasizing community safety.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Miller, Martha, "Shooter bias and sunk costs in a policing context : using an escalation of commitment framework to investigate shooting decisions" (2016). Honors Project, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1658
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Comments
45 pages : color illustrations. Honors project, Smith College, 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-40)