Tyler perceives that the balance of power so evident in racial profiling can lead to a vicious cycle of mistrust and violence. Subsequently, the swelling tide of mutual suspicion makes crime prevention more difficult for police. But distinctions between what numbers really mean, and could faultily infer, easily are blurred, says Tyler. Psychologists, with their understandings of both statistical and behavioral analyses, are needed to clarify such nuances. Eberhardt studies the correlation between racially stereotypical features and perceptions of criminality, especially among African-American faces.
Racial assumption is an area ripe for social psychologists like Eberhardt.
This intermingling of psychology, policy and law enforcement promises to create a comprehensive vision of how these groups can collaborate to alleviate racial profiling. It will remind our colleagues of how the field can aid in the understanding and amelioration of social problems, while leaders in law enforcement will see how the skills of psychologists go far beyond psychological testing and screening.