Abstract
Police officers make high-stake decisions that evoke strong emotions. Understanding the emotions anticipated by varying decisions can help to identify the drivers of poor decision making. In this study, we examine anticipated emotions and decision options that may help prevent or mitigate negative emotion (e.g., regret and embarrassment) and enhance or produce positive emotions (e.g., pride and peace). We examine these emotions as outcomes from decision making, using a sample of 120 police officers. Participants were presented with a hypothetical scenario, reflective of police work, and asked to report the likelihood of making varying decisions. Participants also reported the likelihood of anticipated discrete emotions, based on each decision. Our results revealed differences in anticipated emotions based on decision, interactive effects of the type of decision being made, and distinctive emotional patterns. Rational, intuitive, and dependent decisions were associated with clear patterns of emotional responses, while avoidant and spontaneous decisions produced varying findings. We discuss these findings and highlight implications for practice.
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Brown, S.G., Daus, C.S. Decision Rife with Emotions: Understanding Police Decision Making. J Police Crim Psych 39, 17–33 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09591-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09591-5