1Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to James E. Perkins, Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3415, Laramie, WY 82071-3415.
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Perceptions of Police Use of Deadly Force
Article first published online: 17 MAR 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00056.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Perkins, J. E. and Bourgeois, M. J. (2006), Perceptions of Police Use of Deadly Force. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36: 161–177. doi: 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00056.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 17 MAR 2006
- Article first published online: 17 MAR 2006
- Abstract
- Article
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- Cited By
Recent police shootings of unarmed suspects have brought to bear harsh criticism of law enforcement use of deadly force. Two studies sought to investigate perceptions of police misuse of deadly force. Study 1 showed that as number of officers decreased and number of shots increased, perceptions of misuse of force were augmented. Number of shots per officer significantly predicted perceptions of misuse of force. Study 2 investigated the effects of social dominance orientation, blind patriotism, and right-wing authoritarianism. Results showed a significant interaction between number of officers, number of shots fired, and social dominance orientation. This personality variable was an especially strong predictor of misuse of force in situations involving the largest number of shots fired per officer.