ERIC Number: ED558645
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 119
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3032-6245-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Decision-Making Styles of Active-Duty Police Officers: A Multiple-Case Occupational Study
Calhoun, Patrick Wayne
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Oklahoma State University
Little is known about the decision-making styles of active-duty police officers or what the consequences of not understanding those decision-making styles may be. The purpose of the study was to describe the demographics and decision-making profiles of active-duty police officers, as well as any relationships that may exist among these variables, and the effects of leadership training on decision-making styles. The general approach of this study involved a multi-case examination of quantitative data, both new and historical, regarding the decision-making styles of active duty police officers as determined by the General Decision-Making Styles (GDMS) survey. This research used a quantitative, comparative, multiple-case, descriptive design comprising three data sets. Results from two previous studies and a new study conducted for this research were analyzed to determine if a profile of decision-making styles emerged for those choosing an occupation as a police officer. An online questionnaire gathering demographic data as well as the GDMS responses were combined with an intra-departmental study and a study from research conducted in 2003. The study also examined the potential effects of leadership training for police officers on their measured decision-making style. The study was guided by six theoretical concepts: Adult Learning, Transfer of Training/Learning, Career Choice Models, Leadership Development, General Decision-Making Style, and Decision-Making in the Community Policing context. Analysis of the data revealed a strong relationship with those choosing a career in policing and the Rational decision-making style. In contrast, a strong negative relationship also emerged with the participants and the Avoidant decision-making style. Research strongly indicates that decision-making styles may be situational but that the primary style will resist change and remain dominant in arriving at a decision. Since decision-making styles are unlikely to change with time or through intervention, it is important to consider using the GDMS as a screening tool for future police candidates. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Case Studies, Decision Making, Police, Statistical Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Profiles, Career Choice, Questionnaires, Internet, Leadership Training, Adult Learning, Transfer of Training, Correlation, Intervention, Screening Tests, Cognitive Style
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A