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The secret power of criminal organizations: A social psychological approach

Travaglino, Giovanni A., Drury, Lisbeth (2020) The secret power of criminal organizations: A social psychological approach. SpringerBriefs . Springer, 120 pp. (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:80349)

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Abstract

This Brief presents a social psychological approach to understanding the reaction of communities to organized crime and illegal groups. Based on a new theoretical framework and the latest empirical evidence, this book explores questions of how criminal organizations are able to gain power and exert governance over entire territories. This book draws on the prototypical example of Italian organized crime and analyzes the thesis that the power of criminal groups is grounded in dynamics of legitimization rather than fear or coercion. The compliance of a community is seen here as stemming from the endorsement of specific cultural values and norms. These cultural values are actively appropriated, mobilized and transmitted by criminal groups, a dynamic the authors have labelled Intracultural Appropriation Theory. The book emphasizes what can be learned from using this emerging theory in similar settings such as those of terrorist groups and violent gangs, and points the way to solutions for this social problem.

Item Type: Book
Uncontrolled keywords: criminal organizations, intracultural appropriation theory, legitimacy and legitimization, masculine honor
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Giovanni Travaglino
Date Deposited: 04 Mar 2020 11:19 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 14:11 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/80349 (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
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