Interaction Between the Police and Minority Group Members: Victimization through the Incorrect Interpretation of Nonverbal Behavior *

Abstract

Research findings reveal a differential treatment by police officers of Dutch citizens and foreign born citizens belonging to minority groups. Differences in the degree to which both targets make a suspicious impression on the observing officer are hypothesized to be its main determinant. Theoretically this determinant is linked with the occurrence of nonverbal communication errors, which are a common source of misunderstanding in cross-cultural interactions. Three experiments, in which culturally determined nonverbal behaviors were systematically manipulated (defensive behavior, rhythmic behavior and gaze behavior) are presented. Experimental outcomes underline the importance of nonverbal communication errors in cross-cultural interactions. Results support the hypothesis that police-officers wrongfully interpret these behaviors of the interacting citizen as expressions of being a suspect, and thus victimize these citizens. These results are finally integrated in the theoretical framework of correspondence theory.