NCJ Number
54934
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 50-55
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
NONVERBAL CUES THAT CAN EITHER PRECIPITATE OR PREVENT VIOLENCE DURING POLICE INTERVENTION IN FAMILY DISPUTES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE EMOTIONAL CLIMATE OF A DISPUTE IS AFFECTED BY A NUMBER OF FACTORS, SUCH AS THE LOCATION OF THE DISPUTE, THE AMOUNT OF SPACE BETWEEN DISPUTANTS, AND THE POSTURE AND GESTURES OF BOTH DISPUTANTS AND POLICE. OFFICERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE FACTORS SO THEY CAN INITIATE AND RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS THAT TEND TO HAVE A CALMING INFLUENCE (E.G., MOVING A DISPUTE FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM, PHYSICALLY SEPARATING THE DISPUTANTS, SITTING DOWN), AND AVOID BEHAVIORS THAT ELICIT OR PERPETUATE HOSTILITY (E.G., PROLONGED DIRECT EYE CONTACT, INVASIONS OF PERSONAL SPACE, STANDING ERECT WITH CHEST EXPANDED AND HANDS ON HIPS). PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IS THE SYMBOLISM INVOLVED WHEN THE OFFICER MUST MAKE A TRANSITION FROM MEDIATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT (ARREST AND SEARCH). WHEN THIS TRANSITION IS MADE, THE ARRESTEE'S ANTAGONIST MAY FEEL BETRAYED BY THE OFFICER AND MAY SUDDENLY COME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE ARRESTEE, PERHAPS TURNING ON THE OFFICER. IN SOME RESPECTS, THE TYPES OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF POLICE THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS DURING CRISIS INTERVENTION ARE THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH AN AUTHORITARIAN STANCE, CONSCIOUS OR UNCONSCIOUS. AWARENESS OF NONVERBAL CUES CAN HELP OFFICERS TO PLAN THEIR OWN NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR AND TO ASSESS THE VIOLENCE POTENTIAL OF DISPUTE SITUATIONS. IGNORANCE OF NONVERBAL CUES CAN LEAD UNNECESSARILY TO VIOLENCE. EXAMPLES OF NONVERBALS CUES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS (GAZE, SPATIAL POSITIONING, POSTURE, GESTURE), DRAWN FROM OBSERVATIONS OF POLICE-CITIZEN INTERACTIONS DURING DISPUTES, ARE PRESENTED. (LKM)