Restoring trust in the police: Why female officers reduce suspicions of corruption. Issue 1 (24th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barnes, Tiffany D.; Beaulieu, Emily; Saxton, Gregory W.
• Is Part Of: Governance. Volume 31:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2017-03-24
• Subjects: Administrative agencies -- Periodicals; Civil service -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; 350
• DOI: 10.1111/gove.12281
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-1895

Abstract

Abstract : Recent studies show a clear link between women in government and reduced concerns about corruption. Until now, it remains unclear which underlying attitudes about women explain the perception that they will reduce corruption. Using a survey question about adding women to a police force, with an embedded experimental treatment, we examine three distinct stereotypes that might explain the power of women to reduce concerns about corruption: gender stereotypes of women as more ethical and honest, the perception of women as political outsiders, and beliefs that women are generally more risk averse. We find that people do perceive women as more effective at combating corruption, and these perceptions are greatly enhanced when information about women's outsider status and risk aversion is provided.