INTERACTION ANALYSIS OF POLICE-BLACK RELATIONS

• NCJ Number: 14147
• Author(s): S CROSS; E RENNER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Northwestern University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY IS USED TO ANALYZE THE NATURE OF PERSON-TO-PERSON CONFLICT BETWEEN POLICE AND CITIZENS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

Abstract

ACCORDING TO THIS THEORY, THERE IS CONFLICT WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL ENCOUNTERS SOMEONE WHOSE EXPECTATIONS FOR THAT SITUATION ARE DIFFERENT FROM HIS OWN. SINCE BOTH BLACKS AND POLICE EACH HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF THE OTHER'S BEHAVIOR THAT DIFFER FROM THE OTHER'S SELF IMAGE OF HIS OWN BEHAVIOR, CONFLICT IS LIKELY. THIS ANALYSIS ASSUMES THAT IT IS THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE OTHER'S BEHAVIOR WHICH CAUSES FEARS AND NEGATIVE ATTITUDES. THE STUDY RECOMMENDS THAT THIS PRINCIPLE BE MADE THE BASIS FOR POLICECOMMUNITY RELATIONS TRAINING PROGRAMS.