NCJ Number
59882
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
INTRAPERSONAL, SUBSTANTIVE, AND PROCEDURAL DISTORTIONS MAY HINDER COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, BUT THEIR ADVERSE EFFECT ON PROBLEMSOLVING CAN BE MINIMIZED.
Abstract
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USUALLY SEEK THE HELP OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS TO SOLVE AN EXISTING PROBLEM OR AVOID A PROBLEM. THIS MEANS THAT THE COLLABORATION IS A PROBLEMSOLVING EFFORT, AND LIKE ALL SUCH EFFORTS, ITS SUCCESS WILL DEPEND ON GOOD COMMUNICATIONS. COMMUNICATIONS ARE MADE UP OF SYMBOLS AND, THUS, CAN NEVER BE A TRULY ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE SITUATION. DISTORTIONS CAN BE MINIMIZED, HOWEVER, IF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PROJECT ARE AWARE OF THE SOURCES OF SUCH DISTORTION. THE FIRST SOURCE ARISES FROM THE NATURE OF INTRAPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. STEREOTYPING IS A MAJOR SOURCE WHEN THE THREAT LEVEL IS HIGH AND IS PARTICULARLY COMMON IN THE EARLY STAGES OF INVOLVEMENT BY OUTSIDERS. ACADEMIC PERSONS ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED 'IVORY TOWER' TYPES WHO COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND POLICE PROBLEMS. OVERRELIANCE ON PAST EXPERIENCE, DEFENSIVENESS, AND HIDDEN FEARS AND UNMET NEEDS ALSO CONTRIBUTE. THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY SOURCES OF SUBSTANTIVE DISTORTION--INACCURATE PERCEPTIONS OF PROBLEM ELEMENTS AND INARTICULATENESS ON THE PART OF THE KEY PARTICIPANTS. SOLVING INTRAPERSONAL PROBLEMS OFTEN SOLVES SUBSTANTIVE PROBLEMS. PROCEDURAL DISTORTIONS ARISE FROM INSUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE OR POOR FORMS OF COMMUNICATIONS. OVERRELIANCE ON WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS WITH LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION IS A COMMON CAUSE. PLANNED FEEDBACK AND A CAREFUL LISTENING TO THE OTHER PERSON'S SIDE CAN HELP MINIMIZE THE CONFLICT ARISING FROM POOR COMMUNICATIONS. (GLR)