A warmth display by a White prosecutor can read as disrespect

Evidence

Identity anxiety can undermine interactions between prosecutors and complainants, witnesses, or victim family members, which can be particularly critical in homicide or rape cases. As noted above, these relationships are vital for eliciting trust and the behaviors linked to identity anxiety can translate into behavior that seems biased. In our experience, prosecutors have recognized that the “warm” style a White prosecutor may think establishes rapport may be experienced as disrespect (Godsil & Jiang, 2017). — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1408

Categorization

• XREF: Mirrors the chapter 10 Stetzer quote about mutual fear; also echoes the general finding across psychology that sincerity judgments cross cultural gaps badly — similar to the dress-code signaling notes in the immodesty article.