Interviews with ethnic interviewees: Non‐verbal communication errors in impression formation

Abstract

Two studies are described concerning ethnic interviewees in interviews. The first study (a style of presentation study) revealed several differences in non-verbal behaviour displayed by Dutch and ethnic interviewees in interviews. The second study showed that interviewees with an 'ethnic style' of non-verbal presentation were assessed more negatively than interviewees with a 'Dutch style' of non-verbal presentation by a Dutch selection board. Finally, some implications of the results are discussed.

Confounding influences on police detection of suspiciousness

“…The videotapes were analyzed for race differences in nonverbal behaviors and the results indicated that the Black test subjects engaged in significantly more gaze aversion than the Caucasians while being interrogated. Vrij, Dragt, and Koppelaar (1992) replicated this finding with a new sample confirming that, compared to Caucasians; Blacks demonstrated more gaze aversion, pauses in speech, and more variety of voice pitch. These findings suggested that, compared to Whites, Blacks were more likely to display nonverbal behaviors that police officers and other criminal justice professionals consider 'suspicious,' even when not engaging in criminal or deceptive behavior.…”

Toward a better understanding of racial and ethnic disparities in search and seizure rates

“…After being instructed to rely primarily on nonverbal cues, the police off icers were significantly more likely to suspect the Black interviewees of lying (Winkel & Vrij, 1990). The findings of this experiment were later replicated with another sample of eighty-one White police officers (Vrij, Dragt, & Koppelaar, 1992).…”

“…Foreign language speakers generally pause longer before answering questions, avoid eye contact while they pause, and speak at a varying pace. They also are less likely to answer questions directly (Fuertes, Potere, & Ramirez, 2002;Vrij et al, 1992;Vrij & Winkel, 1994). Americans of all races who speak with a "ghetto Black" accent popular with urban and rap music culture tend to speak at a high rate with dramatic pitch variation (Fuertes et al, 2002).…”

“…The Black students also took more speech pauses and made less eye contact. Vrij et al (1992) Detailed analysis of the nonverbal behaviors displayed by student test subjects engaged in videotaped mock criminal suspect interrogations with a real police investigator.…”

A Critique of the “Outcome Test” in Racial Profiling Research

“…This argument, however, does not withstand empirical scrutiny, as a growing body of research indicates that racial and ethnic differences exist in cues of suspicion that officers are trained to identify when determining whom to search. For example, social psychology and cross-cultural communications research suggests that normal nonverbal communication styles among African Americans are more likely to be identified as "suspicious" by both laypersons and police officers (Fugita, Hogrebe, & Wexley, 1980;Fugita, Wexley, & Hillery, 1974;Garratt, Baxter, & Rozelle, 1981;Ickes, 1984;LaFrance & Mayo, 1976;Smith, 1983;Vrij, Dragt, & Koppelaar, 1992;Vrij & Winkel, 1991;Winkel & Vrij, 1990; for review, see Engel & Johnson, 2006). Research on consumerism and marketing has revealed cultural differences in style of dress, vehicle preferences, and recreational travel practices that could cause non-criminal behaviors by minority motorists to be interpreted as clues of drug smuggling (Brown & Washton, 2002;Connors & Nugent, 1990;Remsberg, 1997; for review, see Engel & Johnson, 2006).…”