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Individual differences impact support for vigilante justice

Christine M McDermott (Department of Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA)
Monica K Miller (Department of Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA)

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research

ISSN: 1759-6599

Article publication date: 11 July 2016

406

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between moral disengagement, individual differences (i.e. need for cognition (NFC), faith in intuition, legal authoritarianism) and responses to vigilantism.

Design/methodology/approach

US university students were surveyed.

Findings

NFC reduced support for vigilante justice while legal authoritarianism increased support for vigilante justice. Both relationships are mediated by moral disengagement, which also increases support for vigilante justice.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides a starting point for further research on individual differences and responses to vigilantism.

Practical implications

Results expand on the understanding of the function of individual differences in a morally charged decision-making task. Content has implications for academics and legal practitioners.

Originality/value

Vigilante justice is embedded within American culture. However, vigilantism is currently illegal, and recent instances of what might be considered vigilante justice (e.g. George Zimmerman, David Barajas) have highlighted the controversy surrounding such extralegal violence. Little research has focussed on the moral quandary posed by vigilantism.

Keywords

Citation

McDermott, C.M. and Miller, M.K. (2016), "Individual differences impact support for vigilante justice", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 186-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-09-2015-0186

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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