Punitive action or gentle persuasion: exploring police officers' justifications for using dual arrest in domestic violence cases
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
1Criminal Justice, Georgia State University, USA.
Abstract:
Mandatory and preferred arrest policies may be resulting in a backlash for victims who are arrested along with their batterers. Little prior research has explored why officers engage in dual arrests. The current study examines the rationales employed by officers to justify dual arrests in a preferred arrest jurisdiction. Content analysis of thought protocols of police officers (n=24) who reported they would arrest both parties was undertaken. Officers justified arrest of both parties, citing that such was required by law and the desire to force both parties to obtain counseling for their relationship. Implications for policy development are examined.
Related Concept Videos
Aggression
Milgram's Obedience to Authority
Persuasion Strategies
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Punishment
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
Obedience

