Status influences on perceptions of procedural justice: a test of the group value model among intimate partner violence arrestees

Abstract

ABSTRACTProcedural justice theorists contend that individuals who see police acting in a procedurally fair manner will more frequently comply with police commands and obey the law. While studies report positive correlations between perception of fairness and compliance with police commands, there is a dearth of research about whether procedural or distributive justice processes can influence subsequent compliance with the law. This research tests whether a person’s social status influences their perceptions of procedural and distributive justice among a sample of men arrested for suspected assault of their intimate partner. This research also tests whether these suspects’ perceptions of the procedural and distributive justice properties of their police encounter influence their long-term compliance with the law. The analyses indicate that there are few differences in perceptions of procedural and distributive justice across social statuses. However, the analysis does show that a more respectful police interaction positively influences subsequent compliance.