ijcs

IJSC

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Harassment: An Application of Attribution Theory - Pages 260-274 
Melanie Clark Mogavero and Ko-Hsin Hsu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2018.07.19

Published: 16 November 2018


Abstract: The social and communication impairments among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may result in some unknowingly harassing someone while pursuing a romantic interest. Weiner’s (1974) Attribution Theory suggests that when people attribute negative behaviors to a condition, they perceive less controllability, and evoke fewer negative emotions and punishments. The authors applied Attribution Theory using a sample of 545 undergraduates who received one of three vignettes depicting a male harassing a female romantic interest (no mention of ASD, mention of ASD, mention of ASD and difficulty with social relationships and communication). Those who received the vignettes that mentioned the perpetrator had ASD perceived the behavior as less controllable and fewer supported punishment. The results demonstrate support for disclosing one’s ASD diagnosis and communicating any social or communication difficulties to others in the event there are miscommunications that could lead to punitive consequences.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attribution Theory, Harassment, Stalking.

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IJSC

Pain, Injury, Mortality: Police Confront Critical Incidents - Pages 1-11 
Robert Werling, Amanda Pereira, Gregory Morris and Blake Randol

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2019.08.01

Published: 12 February 2019


Abstract: Previous research has shown that the law enforcement occupation is a dangerous profession that has the highest violent victimization rate in the United States (Fridell, Faggiani, Taylor, Brito, & Kubu, 2009). This descriptive study aims to add to the growing body of literature on victimization of police officers by answering the central research question: What are the characteristics of victimization incidents of on-duty law enforcement officers? Specific demographics of interest include; sex of the officer, method of harm used against the officer, incident location, and responding call type. A content analysis was performed on news articles reporting incidents of on-duty law enforcement fatalities and injuries (n=50), in which characters gathered from the articles were recoded to numbers for quantitative analysis. Analysis of data suggests that male officers are more likely to be victimized while on-duty. Gunfire is the method of harm most likely used to victimize officers. A roadway is the location where an incident of victimization will most likely occur, during other types of calls beyond warrant services, traffic stops, domestic disturbances, and suspicious persons. This research can lead to future more detailed research and causal analysis.

Keywords: Law enforcement, officer, fatality, injury, incident location.

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IJSC

Detainees in Police Custody in Yorkshire, United Kingdom: A Survey of the Common Mental Health Problems - Pages 12-19 
Jibowu Olubokun

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2019.08.02

Published: 12 February 2019


Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify and study the common mental health problems presented by detainees in police custody as well their demographic characteristics. This would help to create awareness and sensitise health care practitioners working in custody, as well as custody staff towards early recognition and detection of cases, which should facilitate the health promotion and psycho social education of detainees and reduce the overall clinical risk in custody. Design/Methodology: The 'anonymised custody records' of a random sample of two hundred and fifty eight detainees in police custody as well as the Forensic Medical practitioners contemporaneous notes including 'direct clinical interviews 'were examined. Data was collected from the Risk assessment record completed by the custody officers and record of medical assessment by forensic Medical Examiners using a 'Standard Questionnaire format ‘. Data then was analysed. Findings: Detainees admitted into custody experienced a wide range of mental health problems.The most common mental health problems seen in detainees during the period of study were, substance misuse, depression, self-harm, anxiety disorder, epilepsy and schizophrenia in that order. Other conditions were identified such as Learning disabilities. The sex distribution was Male (83%) and Female (17%). In terms of age distribution most of the detainees were in the age range 20-41 (67.5%) for both sexes. The female detainees tend to be older compared to males.Heroin use was the most prevalent drug of abuse in custody. Some of the most common medications prescribed for detainees are Methadone, Mirtazapine, Citalopram, Diazepam, Sorbutex, sodium valproate and Thiamine. Originality/Value: The findings from this study would help to further identify and bring awareness to the common mental health problems encountered in detainees in police custody. It would help to reduce clinical risks and facilitate a safer detention in custody. It would also help to address the issue of the limited availability of data regarding the mental health of detainees.

Keywords: Detainees, police, custody, mental health, risk, forensic medical examiner, drugs and alcohol.

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IJSC

On the “Mockness” of Mock Juries: Real versus Mock Juries as Conversational Forms - Pages 20-28 
John F. Manzo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2019.08.03

Published: 09 April 2019


Abstract: This paper is an analysis of real versus simulated, or “mock,” juries. It is specifically focused on similarities and differences between the two forms of group-based deliberation with respect to the content and organization of deliberative talk. Via analysis of transcript from six deliberations—two real and four mock—the value of mock juries as an investigative tool is assessed based not on the relationship between “input” variables, such as the nature of the case, the sociodemographic or sociometric nature of the jurors themselves, or wording of the juries’ decision rules, and the “output” variable of the jury’s decision, but rather based on the internal nature of jurors’ discourse. This is a radically different focus from traditional studies comprising mock juries, one enabled by use of real deliberations for comparative evaluation.

Keywords: Juries, deliberation, ethnomethodology, discourse.

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