Stereotypes and Their Impact on Law Enforcement

These flashcards cover key concepts related to stereotypes, tokenism, the composition of police forces, and the impact of racial profiling.

Stereotype

A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Static vs Dynamic

In the context of stereotypes, static refers to an unchanging perception, while dynamic refers to perceptions that can evolve.

Negative consequences of stereotypes

Isolation, exclusion, and embarrassment among those affected by stereotypes.

Tokenism

A practice where minorities are less than 15% of the total population and are used to represent their group, leading to a loss of individuality.

Heightened visibility

A problem associated with tokenism where certain individuals are overly visible and scrutinized.

Double marginality

The phenomenon where minority police officers experience prejudice both from within the police force and from the communities they serve.

Intersectionality

A concept that examines how overlapping social identities, such as race and gender, influence experiences of discrimination and privilege.

Racial profiling

The targeting of racial minorities by law enforcement based on racial characteristics rather than legitimate suspicions or evidence of criminal activity.

Disproportionate stopping rates

The phenomenon where African-Americans are stopped by police at higher rates compared to non-African Americans.

Traffic violations and minorities

Minorities are more likely to be ticketed for traffic violations than whites, while whites are more likely to receive warnings.