Preference for group-based social hierarchy and the reluctance to accept women as equals in law enforcement
研究发现，警察的社会支配倾向越强，越认为女性不适合执法工作，且对多样性的价值观部分中介了这一关系。
Abstract While many public organizations have made notable strides to improve the representation of women at all ranks, women remain severely underrepresented in law enforcement organizations. Research shows that a critical barrier to women’s integration into law enforcement is the common perception among policemen that women are unsuited for police work. This study draws on Social Dominance Theory (SDT) to illuminate the values and beliefs underlying policemen’s negative perceptions. Using multi-wave survey data and Ordinary Least Squares Regression analyses, we examine the association between social dominance orientation (SDO), an individual difference variable that captures preference for group-based social hierarchy, and officers’ assessment of women’s suitability for law enforcement. In line with existing evidence, our analyses show that compared to policewomen, policemen report significantly more negative assessments of women’s suitability for law enforcement. We also find that higher SDO officers report more negative assessments of women in law enforcement, and officers’ diversity value partially mediates this relationship. These novel findings suggest that officers who desire to protect existing power dynamics are more likely to resist organizational diversity efforts and hold more negative views about women’s suitability for law enforcement.