The Influence of Intergroup Interactions with Criminals on Parole Officers’ Implicit Criminal Identities

• In Event: Implicit Social Cognitive Processes Underlying Criminal and Victim Identities: Data from Laboratory Experiments and Field Studies

Abstract

Close and frequent interactions with out-groups can influence the self and identity. This is evident when individuals self-report their perceptions of including the out-group and their stereotypical characteristics into their self-concept. To what extent do such intergroup interactions influence the implicit (and explicit) social cognitive structure of parole officers who frequently interact with criminals? This study investigates the mechanism by which parole officers implicitly (i.e., outside of conscious awareness and/or control) associate themselves with criminality and related stereotypes. Because parole officers have frequent and substantive interactions with criminals, we predicted that they will exhibit strong implicit associations between self and criminality and their respective stereotypes when compared to professional adults who do not interact with criminals. Participants complete a series of Implicit Association Tests (IATs) and self report measures that asses implicit and explicit associations self, criminality, and stereotypes.

Authors

• Marina Henein, Rutgers University

• Luis M. Rivera, Rutgers University

• Bonita Veysey, Rutgers University