Question

Michael is a police officer. during one of his shifts, he is chasing a suspect down an alleyway. the suspect turns around and pulls something from his pocket. michael has half a second to decide whether the object is a gun or something else, like the suspect's wallet. according to research by correll and colleagues (2011), michael is most likely to infer a threat and shoot the suspect if:______.

A) the suspect is wearing jeans and a hoodie.
B) the suspect is a Hispanic man.
C) the suspect is a White man.
D) the suspect is a Black man.
E) the suspect is wearing a suit.

Answer 1

Research suggests that a police officer is most likely to infer a threat and decide to shoot if the suspect is a Black man, illustrating the impact of racial biases in high-pressure situations and the need to address institutional racism and racial disparities in policing.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to research by Correll and colleagues (2011), Michael, the police officer in the scenario, is most likely to infer a threat and shoot the suspect if 'D) the suspect is a Black man'. Studies indicate that racial biases can influence split-second decisions in high-pressure situations like the one described. The tragic death of Michael Brown and the subsequent events in Ferguson, Missouri serve as a stark reminder of the real-world implications of such biases and the resulting racial tensions in the United States. This research shows the importance of addressing institutional racism and implementing policies to reduce the racial disparities in treatment by police officers to ensure the safety and fairness for all citizens.