Racial differences in citizens’ experiences of police encounters

What is it about?

For many Black Americans, encounters with police are not just stressful but are shaped by fear of being judged unfairly because of race. This study explored how the fear of confirming negative stereotypes, known as “stereotype threat,” affects how people experience interactions with police. Black and White adults were surveyed about how they feel and act in police encounters. Black participants were more likely than White participants to worry that officers would see them as threatening or criminal because of their race. These fears made them feel more anxious and act less naturally, which could unintentionally make officers more suspicious. This chain reaction, starting with stereotype threat, helps explain why police encounters can be more tense and risky for Black citizens, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.

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Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash

Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study shows that stereotype threat contributes to racial disparities in how police encounters are experienced. Fear of being stereotyped as a criminal may lead Black people to feel anxiety and engage in behavior that could unintentionally escalate police interactions. These findings deepen our understanding of why policing feels more dangerous and stressful for people of color, and highlight the need for law enforcement training that addresses these psychological dynamics to promote safer, more equitable encounters.