Amy Rose Grubb

Understanding attribution of blame in cases of rape: An analysis of participant gender, type of rape and perceived similarity to the victim

Abstract This study examined a variety of factors that may influence attributions towards rape victims. A total of 156 participants completed a questionnaire, which included a measure of attitudes towards rape victims and a vignette depicting one of three rape scenarios (a stranger rape, date rape and seduction rape). Participants rated the extent to which they blamed the rape victim as well as the degree to which they identified with the victim and perpetrator. Results indicated that male participants blamed the victim to a greater extent than did female participants, with participants consistently attributing most blame to the victim in the seduction rape scenario, then the date rape scenario, and finally the stranger rape scenario. Perceptions of similarity to the rape victim and perpetrator were correlated negatively with attributions of blame. These findings have important implications for juror selection, jury decision-making and attempts to improve the conviction rate in rape cases.

Personality traits and coping styles in UK police officers. Do negotiators differ from their non-negotiator colleagues?

In this piece of research, the traits and characteristics held by police hostage (crisis) negotiators in the UK are explored, with specific reference to personality, coping style and cognitive emotion regulation. One hundred and seventeen hostage negotiators from 21 UK police forces took part in the research and their data were compared with 118 non-negotiator police officers and 203 university students. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI), the Coping Skills Test-Revised (CST-R) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and their data were compared using multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis. Findings confirmed the existence of a ‘police personality/profile’ with significant differences obtained between both police samples and the student sample on all three constructs; however, the findings demonstrated little support for the concept of a unique ‘hostage negotiator personality/profile’. Gender differences were also explored, with significant differences observed across male and female participants for all three dependent variables. No significant interaction effects were observed, however, suggesting that the effect of gender on personality, coping style and cognitive emotion regulation was independent of group membership. The findings are discussed with relevance to hostage negotiator and police officer selection and training practices.

The self-perceived successful hostage and crisis negotiator profile: a qualitative assessment of negotiator competencies

Abstract Hostage and crisis negotiators serve a vital function within modern-day policing and can play a role in whether individuals live or die. As such, it is important for us to understand which police officers are more suited to this complex and challenging role, to ensure that the most effective negotiators are selected and trained. The current paper outlines the findings from interviews conducted with 15 negotiators from nine English police forces. Using a grounded theoretical approach, a conceptual model of the successful negotiator profile was developed comprising three primary and 19 secondary categories. The three primary categories consisted of: ‘Negotiator entry requirements’, ‘Negotiator attributes’, and ‘Negotiator skills’ which taken together, can be used to depict a profile of the successful hostage and crisis negotiator. The profile is discussed with reference to the potential implications for current hostage and crisis negotiator/police officer selection and training practices.

An analysis of the relationship between being deaf and sexual offending

Abstract Research demonstrates that deaf offenders are over-represented within the criminal justice system. In addition, those deaf offenders who are incarcerated within prison estates or psychiatric units are predominantly incarcerated for sexual offences. This paper will evaluate the existing literature surrounding the reasons behind this bias. In particular, this review will examine the characteristics of deaf offenders in relation to their personalities, language and brain development and abilities to communicate. This paper will consider proposed associations between mental illness and childhood sexual abuse amongst deaf individuals and later sexual offending. This paper attempts to evidence differences between deaf and hearing offenders in order to explain why more deaf offenders commit sexual crimes than hearing offenders. This paper will conclude that the research is scarce and inconclusive and that current assessments and treatment are potentially inadequate due to the profound difficulties associated with accurately understanding and communicating with the deaf offender.