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How race affects evidence accumulation during the decision to shoot
Timothy J Pleskac1, Joseph Cesario2, David J Johnson2
1Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195, Berlin, Germany. pleskac@mpib-berlin.mpg.de.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|October 7, 2017
Summary
Stereotypes influence decisions, but a dynamic model shows race affects evidence accumulation speed, not initial bias. This research offers new insights into decision-making processes and potential interventions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Decision-Making Research
Background:
- Stereotypes play a significant role in social cognition and decision-making.
- Previous research modeled shooting decisions as signal detection, suggesting a lower threshold for Black targets.
- The influence of race on police officers' shooting decisions requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of race in police officers' shooting decisions using a dynamic model.
- To differentiate between initial bias and evidence accumulation in decision-making.
- To propose a new model for understanding and potentially intervening in biased decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Participants viewed images of Black and White males, instructed to shoot only if holding a gun.
- A dynamic model was employed to analyze evidence accumulation over time until a decision threshold is reached.
- Four studies utilized this model to account for choice and response time data.
Main Results:
- Race did not introduce an initial bias to shoot Black targets.
- Evidence accumulation for shooting decisions was faster for Black targets.
- Some participants exhibited increased caution with Black targets, setting higher decision thresholds.
Conclusions:
- A dynamic model provides a more comprehensive understanding of shooting decisions than traditional signal detection models.
- Race influences the speed of evidence accumulation, not necessarily an initial bias.
- The dynamic model offers a framework for developing and measuring interventions to mitigate racial bias in decision-making.
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