Racial disparities exist in how groups perceive police and courts. This article explores why, arguing that vicarious experiences play a key role.
New Insight Needed: Why Perceptions of Justice Vary Across Racial Groups
* We contend racial differences stem from "vicarious bases," drawing on social communication research and negativity bias principles.
* These mechanisms help explain the divide in evaluations of judicial actors.
Our Core Argument: Vicarious Experiences Shape Public Perception
Social network composition influences exposure to others' experiences.*
Negativity biases cause people to interpret vicarious information as more negative than direct experience.*
* This explains the observed disparities in perceptions of police and courts.
Methodology & Findings: Survey Data from Washington State
* We tested four hypotheses using original survey data collected specifically in Washington state.
* Results show vicarious experiences significantly influence citizen ratings of both police and courts.
* These processes widen existing racial gaps in perception, providing clear evidence for their impact.
| The Vicarious Bases of Perceived Injustice was authored by Jeff Mondak, Jon Hurwitz, Mark Peffley and Paul Testa. It was published by Wiley in AJPS in 2017. |
