title: Any of them will do: In-group identification, out-group entitativity, and gang membership as predictors of group-based retribution.
abstract: In non-gang populations, the degree of identification with an in-group and perceptions of out-group entitativity, the perception of an out-group as bonded or unified, are important contributors to group-based aggression or vicarious retribution. The link between these factors and group-based aggression, however, has not been examined in the context of street gangs. The current study assessed the relationship among in-group identification, perceptions of out-group entitativity, and the willingness to retaliate against members of rival groups who did not themselves attack the in-group among juvenile gang and non-gang members in London. Our results showed the predicted membership (gang/non-gang) × in-group identification × entitativity interaction. Decomposition of the three-way interaction by membership revealed a significant identification × entitativity interaction for gang, but not for non-gang members. More specifically, gang members who identify more strongly with their gang and perceived a rival group as high on entitativity were more willing to retaliate against any of them. In addition, entitativity was a significant predictor of group-based aggression after controlling for gender, in-group identification, and gang membership. Our results are consistent with socio-psychological theories of group-based aggression and support the proposal that such theories are applicable for understanding gang-related violence. Aggr. Behav. 41:242-252, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eduardo A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wenborne
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peers
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alleyne
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D012933:Social Identification
keywords: gang revenge; group‐based retribution; inter‐gang aggression; in‐group identification; out‐group entitativity