Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 1997. Graduate Programme in Sociology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-191). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser By entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ27311.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [193]-204).

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Contradictory views of nontraditional women provide a backdrop for differing perceptions of policewomen. After reading a vignette of a traffic stop by either a policewoman or a policeman who had either made a mistake or not a mistake in pulling participants over, 230 MTurk participants provided their anticipated affective, behavioral, and cognitive perceptions of the police officer that pulled them over and gave them a traffic ticket. Anticipated affective, behavioral, and cognitive perceptions for policewomen and policemen diverged for those high in hostile sexism and those high in benevolent sexism. Those high in hostile sexism perceive policewomen less warm than those who scored low in hostile sexism. Individuals high in benevolent sexism who read about interacting with a policewoman who made a mistake were more likely to produce positive behaviors compared to a policewoman who had not made a mistake. Additionally, those high in benevolent sexism who read about interacting with a policewoman were more likely to have a negative affective reaction about the situation compared to those who interact with a policeman. This study replicates the past research on ambivalent sexism, such that those high in hostile sexism revere traditional women and dislike nontraditional women while those high in benevolent sexism are overall more positive towards women but in a condescending manner. Additionally, this study extends ambivalent sexism theories into police research suggesting that citizens will react to a policewoman in line with their level of ambivalent sexism.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Female police officers are relatively new to the profession of law enforcement. Prior to 1968, the very few who were employed by police agencies were not permitted to perform the full range of police duties. Subsequent to that time their number has increased so that today they account for approximately 8.3 percent of the total sworn police population. There have been numerous studies which have attempted to identify the sociopsychological characteristics of male police officers. For example, Neiderhoffer reported in 1967 that male officers rate high in authoritarianism, anomia, job dissatisfaction, and choose police work for job security reasons. Very little research has been conducted about female police officers. The pioneering study of female police officers was conducted in 1971 by Dr. Gary R. Perlstein. He examined the extent to which the same characteristics studied by Neiderhoffer were found among female officers and reported consistently lower levels. Perlstein's study sample, however, was limited by the length of time his respondents could have performed line duties. This dissertation was designed to partly replicate the Perlstein (1971) study in an effort to determine whether or not there have been changes in these characteristics among contemporary female police officers. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire to female police officers in eight of the fourteen police agencies surveyed by Perlstein (six declined to participate for unknown reasons), and to female police officers attending an annual professional conference. The total sample population was 784, composed of all ranks performing all types of police work. The findings of this research appear to validate those reported by Perlstein. These findings should have significant impact on policies related to the recruiting, selection, and retention of all police officers. Equally important was the strong implication that authoritarianism, anomia and job dissatisfaction are negatively associated with the problem-solving role associated with the emerging community-policing or new paradigm model of police organizations. The characteristics of female police officers may well become the standards against which future ideal police candidates should be evaluated

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf xxi-xxiii).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves xxi-xxiii). Also available in print.