Public confidence in police: Examining the influence of police misconduct in the media
Open Access
Author:
Biggers, Zachariah Thomas
Graduate Program:
Criminal Justice
Degree:
Master of Arts
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
May 22, 2017
Committee Members:
Jonathan Lee, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Jennifer Catherine Gibbs, Committee Member Siyu Liu, Committee Member
Keywords:
Police Media Public Confidence Vicarious Experience Media Presentations Police Misconduct
Abstract:
The influence of media portrayals of misconduct upon confidence in police has grown substantially with the rise of social media and an increasingly rapid news cycle. Other research indicates this media effect is similar to the reaction observed when police misconduct is experienced vicariously through family members, but with a less profound emotional attachment. Research has predominantly focused on the effect of direct experiences with police misconduct, but the prevalence of media presentations of misconduct warrants further study.
This study analyzed data from a survey of Pennsylvania State University students regarding their experience with and perception toward local police, among others. Findings suggest that media representations, vicarious experiences, and personal experiences of misconduct contributed to confidence in police. Media was the most common of these sources among respondents, followed by vicarious experiences, and then personal experiences.
