The Interpersonal Style and Complementarity Between Crisis Negotiators and Forensic Inpatients

Previous negotiation research has explored the interaction and communication between crisis negotiators and perpetrators.
A crisis negotiator attempts to resolve a critical incident through negotiation with an individual, or group of persons in
crisis. The purpose of this study was to establish the interpersonal style of crisis negotiators and complementarity of the
interpersonal interaction between them and forensic inpatients. Crisis negotiators, clinical workers and students (n = 90) used the Check List of Interpersonal Transactions-Revised (CLOIT-R) to identify interpersonal style, along with eight
vignettes detailing interpersonal styles. Crisis negotiators were most likely to have a friendly interpersonal style compared
to the other non-trained groups. Complementarity theory was not exclusively supported as submissive individuals did not show
optimistic judgments in working with dominant forensic inpatients and vice versa. Exploratory analysis revealed that dominant
crisis negotiators were optimistic in working with forensic inpatients with a dominant interpersonal style. This study provides
insight into the area of interpersonal complementarity of crisis negotiators and forensic inpatients. Whilst further research
is required, a potential new finding was established, with significant ‘similarity’ found when dominant crisis negotiators
are asked to work with dominant forensic inpatients.