#427 - Lethal Force & Biases
Recent news highlights specific police officer’s inappropriate use of lethal force. What is the extent and reasons why some police engage in excessive lethal force?
In 2018, psychologists examined the factors and psychological characteristics of people in specific geographical living areas. They studied whether racial are related to death by lethal force. From databases of 2 million people they assessed racial and measured economic, racial, social, ethnic, and religious stereotypes.They defined racial as an evaluation of a group, and racial as a belief that different groups were a threat.
Results? The most significant predictor of lethal force was related to specific regions with White of Black individuals with weapons. Only racial of White individuals in that region predicted greater use of lethal force in those areas. Most important; these results reflect a regional level. Do not interpret these for any individual.
We who grew up in this culture will likely have hidden and overt biases—take extra steps to overcome these. Reach out to others...
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