Examining the Crossover Interaction of the Race-Crime Congruency Effect: A Systematic Review

Researchers have investigated the race-crime congruency effect for approximately 30 years; however, extant research makes it difficult to draw conclusions about this effect due to varied operationalization, methodology, and statistical reporting. We conducted a systematic review operationalizing race-crime congruency as a crossover effect such that defendants receive harsher punishment when a crime is deemed typical of their race and less punitive punishments when a crime is deemed atypical of their race. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the current state of the literature and provide recommendations for future research. To identify relevant studies, we searched four databases, 18 conference programs, and reference lists in identified articles. We identified 14 published and unpublished papers that examine a crossover effect of the race-crime congruency effect found in experimental research. We recommend (a) using designs capable of testing a crossover interaction (b) including dichotomous guilt as a primary dependent variable (c) pilot testing race-typical and -atypical crimes (d) identifying crimes that associate equally with target groups (e) utilizing manipulation checks to ensure appropriate comparisons across studies and (f) reporting detailed statistical information to allow future researchers to conduct meta-analyses on this topic. Overall, race-crime congruency literature has important implications for marginalized groups within the United States’ criminal justice system; therefore, researchers should work to appropriately ascertain the robustness of this effect.