Abstract Background: Previous research suggested a direct relationship between criminal friends and criminal thinking style; however Social Identity Theory (SIT) proposed that identity mediates the impact of social group members on development of thinking styles. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to provide the first empirical investigation of the theoretical predictions of SIT and Self-Categorisation Theory in the field of criminal psychology. It was predicted that the three dimensions of criminal social identity mediate the impact of associations with criminal friends on criminal thinking styles. Method: This objective was tested within a sample of male recidivistic prisoners (N=312) using latent variable modelling method. Results: The structural equation model of criminal thinking style supported the central predictions of SIT, with findings demonstrating an indirect impact of criminal friends on criminal thinking through in-group affect and in-group ties with criminal in-group members which reflects two out of three dimensions of the Measure of Criminal Social Identity applied in the current study. Conclusion: Further implications in relation to theory and previous studies are discussed.

Url http://trap.ncirl.ie/1931/

Collections Ireland -> National College of Ireland -> Subject = B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
Ireland -> National College Ireland -> Status = Published
Ireland -> National College Ireland -> Subject = B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
Ireland -> National College of Ireland -> Type = Article
Ireland -> National College of Ireland -> Subject = B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Ireland -> National College Ireland -> Type = Article
Ireland -> National College Ireland -> Subject = B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Ireland -> National College of Ireland -> Status = Published