The Psychology of Criminal Authority: Introducing the Legitimacy of Secret Power Scale

Giovanni Travaglino, Alberto Mirisola, Chanki Moon, Pascal Burgmer, Hirotaka Imada, Isabella Giammusso, Silvana D'Ottone, Kengo Nawata, Miki Ozeki, Dominic Abrams

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Abstract

The state’s monopoly on sovereignty can be challenged by criminal systems capable of gaining legitimacy within communities. Understanding the psychological basis of such legitimacy requires broadening traditional conceptualizations of authority to consider how it operates without legal backing and outside formal channels. This research introduces the Legitimacy of Secret Power (L-SP) scale, a tool measuring individuals’ appraisal of illegal groups’ power. We validated L-SP through three studies (Ntotal = 3,173). Findings demonstrate a reliable, 20-item mono-factorial structure. Study 3 tested L-SP’s measurement invariance in the UK, Italy, Japan, and the US. Across studies, L-SP correlated with support for illegality, ideologies of masculine honor, and social dominance. It was inversely related to the perceived national threat of criminal groups, democratic attitudes, and police legitimacy. Notably, L-SP predicted individuals’ willingness to report criminal groups independent of fear or perceptions of police legitimacy. Theoretical implications and future directions are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
JournalGroup Processes and Intergroup Relations
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 17 Sept 2024

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