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Organized crime and group-based ideology: The association between masculine honor and collective opposition against criminal organizations

Travaglino, Giovanni A., Abrams, Dominic, Randsley de Moura, Georgina, Russo, Giuseppina (2014) Organized crime and group-based ideology: The association between masculine honor and collective opposition against criminal organizations. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 17 (6). pp. 799-812. ISSN 1368-4302. (doi:10.1177/1368430214533394) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:57661)

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Abstract

What is the role of culture in establishing young people’s pathways into gang membership? Italian criminal organizations (COs) exhibit adherence to codes of honor and masculinity, important values in the context where they originated. Here it is proposed that the embedding of these values at an individual level may lessen young people’s group-based opposition to such organizations, and indirectly, create a space in which such organizations can persist and recruit. In a study of young Southern Italians (N = 176; Mage = 16.17), we found that those who endorsed ideological beliefs related to the honorableness of male violence reported lower intentions to engage in antimafia activities. Consistent with the hypothesized mechanisms, this relationship was mediated by more positive attitudes toward COs, and lower reported vicarious shame in relation to the activities of COs. Directions for future research and implications for research on gangs are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1368430214533394
Uncontrolled keywords: collective action; criminal organizations; gangs; masculine honor; omertà; shame
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Giovanni Travaglino
Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2016 07:00 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 11:01 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57661 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Travaglino, Giovanni A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4091-0634
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Abrams, Dominic.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-4572
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Randsley de Moura, Georgina.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-6128
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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