Perceptions of Police-Civilian Encounters: Intergroup and Communication Dimensions in the United Arab Emirates and the USA

Authors

Charles W. Choi Ph.D., Pepperdine UniversityFollow
Gholam Hassan Khajavy Ph.D., University of BojnordFollow
Rana Raddawi Ph.D., American University of Sharjah, UAEFollow
Howard Giles Ph.D., D.Sc, University of California, Santa BarbaraFollow

Department(s)

Communication

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Keywords

Police and Civilian Communication; Accommodation; Intergroup; Compliance; United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of perceived police accommodation on police-civilian interactions. Elaborating theoretically beyond a range of cross-cultural studies, we examine the cultural impact of accommodative communication in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United States of America (USA), as the prior context demonstrates socio-cultural parallels and differences including the influence of Sharia law. Between-country comparisons evaluate the mediating role of trust, affect and intergroup orientation on various civic outcomes. Accommodative communication was the strongest predictor of trust for both nations and demonstrated a direct impact on moral alignment and willingness to help only in the UAE.

Publication Title

Journal of International and Intercultural Communication

Volume

12

DOI

10.1080/17513057.2018.1503317

Recommended Citation

Choi, C. W., Khajavy, G. H., Raddawi, R., & Giles, H. (2019). Perceptions of police-civilian encounters: Intergroup and communication dimensions in the United Arab Emirates and the USA. Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, 12(1), 82-104. doi:10.1080/17513057.2018.1503317