Kristen Lins XXXXXXXXXXTuesday Jul 28 at 7:24am Hi Dr. McCoy and Class, A research question I would propose is, does social media influence stereotype threat in police officers? I am interested in...

Kristen Lins

Hi Dr. McCoy and Class,

A research question I would propose is, does social media influence stereotype threat in police officers? I am interested in this topic because stereotype threat is a real condition, and I think it is part of the problem between the police officers and minorities in America. McGlone and Pfiester (2015) describe stereotype threat as the threat or discomfort people feel when they think or fear they are confirming a stereotype involving them. Feenstra (2013) explains that stereotype threat has consequences as it can lead to risky or poor decision making and even aggression. In addition to poor decision making and aggression, another consequence of stereotype threat is that, over time, it can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, resemblance of or actions confirming the stereotype. Recent incidents between police officers and minorities, including the most recent officer shooting of an African American, place all police officers in the limelight. These events make police brutality an on-going, heated, and controversial topic in the United States and thus are frequently the focus of the media. Because these shootings are so fresh in our minds and continue to stay fresh in our minds due to the media, availability heuristics, and errors in judgment, most likely contribute to and amplify the prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination directed towards police officers as well as others. Unfortunately, these beliefs held against police officers increase the probability of stereotype threat and self-fulfilling- prophecies both, which can affect the police officers’ behavior.

Now, on the other hand, I would like to note that the same is true for minorities, but I had to narrow my research question. It is just as important to understand that stereotype threat does not just apply to police officers, but minorities as well, meaning it affects their behavior as well. The same events I mentioned above make minority behavior an on-going, heated, and controversial topic in the United States and, thus, frequently the focus of the media as well. Because these incidents are so fresh in our minds and continue to stay fresh in our minds due to the media, availability heuristics, and errors in judgment, most likely contribute to and amplify the prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination directed towards minorities. Unfortunately, these beliefs held against minorities increase the probability of stereotype threat and self-fulfilling- prophecies both, which can affect the minorities’ behavior. So, the term minorities could be used in place of police officers in the same question. However, again I had to narrow my research question, but I am equally interested in both versions of the research question.

-Kristen

References

Feenstra, J. (2013).

Social psychology(Links to an external site.)
(2nd ed.) [Electronic version].
https://content.ashford.edu/(Links to an external site.)

McGlone, M. S., & Pfiester, R. A. (2015). Stereotype Threat and the Evaluative Context of Communication.
Journal Of Language & Social Psychology,
34(2), 111-137. doi:10.1177/0261927X14562609

Monica Roberts

Hello Dr. McCoy and Class,

The research question I am propositioning is: How does domestic violence affect the mental health of the victim?

I choose this topic because it is the focus of my career, as well as an issue that has affected me personally. Mental health disorders are known to involve one’s persistent feelings and caused by genes or biology. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is known to be linked to veterans, but what about the mental health affected by a traumatic experience such as domestic violence or intimate partner abuse? Paddock expresses many impacts of mental health such as PTSD and battered women syndrome is becoming more common among women, and medical physicians should be more aware of the link between mental health and domestic violence and ensure their patients are kept safe from harm and treated for the mental health of such abuse. (Paddock, 2012). Domestic violence is becoming a more widespread criminal act; however, not being recognized with such importance outside the criminal courtroom if the abuser makes it to sentencing. Still, the abuse and re-traumatization continue to occur with no further consideration of the mental health impact it has on the victim. Society defines and thinks of domestic violence as physical or mental, I will be addressing other types of domestic violence such as, but not limited to, verbal, legal, emotional, financial, and digital. It is understood that physical abuse affects one’s person and may have some mental health components; however, once the bruises go away, mental health impressions need to be addressed. The most common disorders reported by domestic violence victims are anxiety, depression, PTSD, and battered women syndrome. Domestic violence and its effects on a victim can be expanded to more areas and display the necessity of raising awareness and implement treatment for the victim; nevertheless, in narrowing my inquiry, I focused on the domestic violence influence has on the victims’ mental health.

Reference

Paddock, C. (2012). Mental Health Disorders Linked to Domestic Violence. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254475#1