Events

Understanding and counteracting racial bias in policing
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 7:00pm

Police shootings of unarmed racial minorities prompted psychological research on race in policing in order to both understand and counteract potential bias. In this talk, Kimberly Kahn, associate professor of social psychology, will discuss her research on the psychological effects of race and racial stereotyping on police behavior.

Wednesday, Jan. 23 | 7 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 238

Free and open to the public

Kahn has conducted research with police departments across the country to study this issue, including with the Center for Policing Equity and local departments in Oregon. Using data from experimental, observational, correlational, and archival police case file studies, she will detail how subtle forms of stereotyping, implicit bias, and identity related threats impact decisionmaking during police-community interactions.
 
Analyses will examine both police and community member behavior during interactions, and how both parties can be influenced by subtle biases and psychological identity threats. These biases ultimately lead to an escalation in use of force during these interactions. Using this scientific information, Kahn will discuss evidence-based interventions to reduce racial bias in policing behavior and how to promote more equitable outcomes for all community members.