The Effect of Racial Bias on Domestic Violence Scenarios

• In Event: Perceptions and Realities of Crime

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between racial bias and public opinions of domestic violence. The data for this study is derived from an online survey in which participants answer questions about domestic violence vignettes. Participants answer questions for three vignettes of different forms of domestic violence (i.e., physical, psychological, and sexual), in which the race of the offender and victim is randomly assigned. The race of the offender and victim is ambiguous through the use of common names that are implicitly related to race (e.g., Katie vs Aaliyah). After each vignette the participants are asked a series of questions such as their perceived seriousness of the scenario, responsibility and blame of the victim and perpetrator, appropriate punishment for the offender, whether it is an act of domestic violence, and if it is a violation of the law. Analyses examine the extent, if any, to which racial bias is associated with differences in public perceptions of domestic violence and the level of criminality attributed to such offenses.

Authors

• Batya Yisraela Rubenstein, University of South Florida

• Ráchael Powers, University of South Florida

• John Cochran, University of South Florida

• Carla Smith Stover, University of South Florida