A Behavioural Theory of Discrimination in Policing

Bibliographic Data

ID9709771
AuthorsRyan Hübert (0000-0003-1556-4127, University of California, Davis, corresponding author), Andrew T Little (0000-0001-9911-4291, University of California, Berkeley)
Year2023
Volume133
Issue655
Pages2828-2843
Publication date2023-09-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Economic Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0013-0133 • E-ISSN: 1468-0297
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/ej/uead043
OpenAlexW4382284327
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited25

A large economic literature studies whether racial disparities in policing are explained by animus or by beliefs about group crime rates. But what if these beliefs are incorrect? We analyse a model where officers form beliefs using crime statistics, but do not properly account for the fact that they will detect more crime in more heavily policed communities. This creates a feedback loop where officers over-police groups that they (incorrectly) believe exhibit high crime rates. This inferential mistake can exacerbate discrimination even among officers with no animus and who sincerely believe that disparities are driven by real differences in crime rates

Crime rate · Criminology · Mistake · Political science · Race (biology · Racial profiling · Sociology · Corruption and Economic Development · Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies · Law · Law, Economics, and Judicial Systems · Psychology · Social Psychology

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