NCJ Number
123786
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 132-140
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In this paper we develop an attributional perspective to examine encounters between detectives and suspects under arrest. We focus specifically on those interactions where detectives express empathy and provide help to suspects.
Abstract
If suspects appear to be deserving -- presenting the expected cues of a conventional identity -- they are given the benefit of the doubt and responded to appropriately. Thus, if a suspect is successful in presenting the appearance of someone who deserves compassion and assistance, then the detective who empathizes and assists is simply responding according to expected interactional rules of conduct. Empathy and altruism are so routine that they are apparently taken for granted in a prevailing working ideology centered in "not-hitting-a-person-when-he-is-down." Such behavior not only preserves the dignity of a deserving offender, it preserves the dignity of social interaction. 32 references. (Publisher abstract)