Most Popular (Last 7 Days)

President Trump issues executive order protecting law enforcement and their families

January 19, 2021
National Guard

National Guard troops tossed from Capitol, told to rest in parking garage

January 22, 2021
West Virginia mother

Mother ‘not strong enough to fight these demons’ as six are found dead in murder-suicide

January 22, 2021

Police chief dies two weeks after retirement

January 17, 2021
K9 Arlo

K9 Arlo battles for life after being shot in the line of duty

January 16, 2021 - Updated on January 20, 2021

Toledo police officer shot and killed

January 18, 2021
Georgia deputy

Dashcam video shows horrific crash severely injuring Georgia deputy

January 19, 2021
Load More

Castro Art: Fallen Heroes 2020

  • Home
  • Archives
  • Authors
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

How negativity bias impacts law enforcement

What can we do about it?

January 25, 2020
byJim McNeff
in Editorial, Exclusive, Family, Leadership, Training
negativity bias

(Pixabay)

453
SHARES
2k
VIEWS
Share—and speak up for law & order...

Imagine you work in a geographically appealing environment—cynics, please save your comments. During a slow evening at work, you enjoy watching a breathtaking sunset over the still water, through the giant forest, or disappearing into a deep green meadow.

Crime in progress

Suddenly, you receive a radio call of an armed robbery in progress. You quickly leave the hypnotic panorama behind and respond to the crime, hoping to catch the crook.

After arriving on scene, you discover a store clerk lying facedown in a pool of blood, deceased. The suspect has fled and gotten away. Now the investigation and manhunt begins.

What do you think you’ll remember more vividly about this tour of duty, the incredible sunset or the robbery/homicide? It’s a no brainer, right.

bumblebee
File photo of Chicago crime scene. (Screenshot Fox 8)

Negativity bias

Although this is an extreme example, the same thing would happen if the variables were less dramatic. It’s called the negativity bias.

The negativity bias is the tendency for humans to pay more attention, or give more weight to negative experiences over neutral or positive encounters.

I used an extreme illustration since police officers cross paths with horrifying events every day. So this is something we need to emotionally combat.

The psychological reality of negativity bias can have a powerful effect on your behavior, your decisions, and even your relationships.

Multiple stabbing victims
File photo, Tallahassee crime scene, 2019. (Screenshot WCTV)

Flattering comments and snarky remarks

Let’s look at it more simplistically. Think about compliments you have received from friends or colleagues. In all likelihood, you felt flattered at the moment, but then went on with your day.

Conversely, compare that to a single snarky remark. It likely impacted you more deeply. Perhaps it consumed your thoughts, and even carried over for days — or years in some cases.

Good news is like Teflon … it slides off.

Bad news is Velcro … it sticks.

“Good things last for a brief period of time, while bad things stick with us for weeks,” said a mentor of mine. … And it’s true! That is why we take public criticism so personal, regardless of how hard we try to let it roll off our back. “If only they knew the truth,” we say, regardless of their predisposition to be cop-haters.

negativity bias
(BruceEmmerling via Pixabay)

Cynicism effect

Police officers are “doubly cursed.” By this I mean we have the negativity bias to overcome in addition to what I’ll call the cynicism effect, which needs to be understood while on duty, and neutralized when we’re off.

The cynicism effect is the natural skepticism that most cops possess in order to uncover the spurious motivations of wrongdoers, i.e. crooks! It can be your friend during a criminal investigation, yet a bitter enemy when interacting with friends and family members.

If you doubt me, ask your loved ones. You probably think everyone is guilty of something. … I’ll bet some of you are guilty of being in denial right now. Ba Dum Bump!

  • GRATITUDE DECREASES TOXICITY

Keeping it simple

So, what to do?

Since I am merely an amateur psychologist—as are most cops—I will keep this simple. Everything works better when joy is present. … Yep, that’s it. Find joy!

Fort Pierce police
After Hurricane Dorian, members of the Fort Pierce Police Department found a little joy in their work, Sept. 2019. (Fort Pierce Police Department)

Do you locate secreted evidence at a crime scene without looking? Of course not! Therefore, you will not find joy if you don’t look for it. Is your glass half-full or half-empty?

I have been a slow learner of this lesson throughout life. While I enjoy comedy and experiencing a good laugh, the “cop-side” of me has played out way too often in personal encounters. Therefore, I have often missed joyful experiences when they’ve been present.

“If you don’t make up your mind your unmade mind will unmake you.”

– E. Stanley Jones

While finding joy comes natural to some people, my experience has been that most police officers need to work at it. It’s a mindset that I’ve needed to reinforce so it populates my thinking.

Dan Meers story

Dan Meers is the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs. He remembers a rehearsal gone terribly wrong, and his thankfulness for what happened after.

The faulty test jump of this stuntman possesses some good life lessons as how we can find joy.

Peace

Regardless of your perspective regarding Meers’ spiritual outlook, I hope you grasp the basic principles that he discussed.

Find something that makes you happy that involves joy, not simply “bad news” about your enemies. If you can find some joy in life, you’ll treasure the peace and serenity that accompanies it.

Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another—especially your enemies. It might bring momentary satisfaction, but if your life revolves around it, you will be a miserable, bitter person.

While looking for joy, nourish your mind with noble thoughts. Whatever you consume influences whom you become. Build worthwhile habits into your life and joy is sure to be present.

– Jim McNeff

 

  • Bio

Jim McNeff

Jim McNeff is the managing editor of Law Officer and founder of Badge 145, a ministry geared toward helping police officers and their families. Jim worked in military and civilian law enforcement for thirty-one years. While in the USAF he flew as a crewmember aboard the National Emergency Airborne Command Post—a presidential support detail. Following his military service, he served for twenty-eight years with the Fountain Valley Police Department in Orange County, California where he retired as a lieutenant. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Southwest University and graduated from the prestigious Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute as well as the IACP course, Leadership in Police Organizations. In addition to being a Medal of Valor recipient, Jim has authored three books: The Spirit behind Badge 145, Justice Revealed, and Jurisdiction.

Share—and speak up for law & order...
Tags: cynical effectcynicismnegativity bias

Liberty University offers affordable tuition—and a 25% discount for law officers and first responders.

Most Recent...

California Attorney General

California Attorney General Takes Aim at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

January 22, 2021
Texas Attorney General

Texas Attorney General Sues Biden Administration for ‘Unlawful and Perilous’ Deportation Pause

January 22, 2021
West Virginia mother

Mother ‘not strong enough to fight these demons’ as six are found dead in murder-suicide

January 22, 2021
Antifa

With Biden in office, Twitter shuts down Antifa accounts that have 71K followers

January 22, 2021
defense attorney

Criminal defense attorney charged with raping two women

January 22, 2021
stolen vehicle

Shocking video shows suspect ram deputy with stolen vehicle

January 22, 2021
National Guard

National Guard troops tossed from Capitol, told to rest in parking garage

January 22, 2021

NYPD releases bodycam footage from fatal shooting of knife-wielding suspect

January 21, 2021
Houston chief

Houston chief investigating the ranks for extremism

January 21, 2021
Portland rioters

Portland police respond to rioters causing damage to ICE facility, Democratic Party headquarters

January 21, 2021
Load More
Law Officer

© 2021 Law Officer

  • Home
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Corrections
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Castro Art
  • About Us
  • Authors
  • Contributors
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

© 2021 Law Officer