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INTERACTION ANALYSIS OF POLICE-BLACK RELATIONS

NCJ Number
14147
Author(s)
S CROSS; E RENNER
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
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.