Chen, F. X., Ok, E., & Aquino, K. (2023).
Personality Science, 4(1).
Abstract
Vigilantes monitor their social environment for signs of wrongdoing and administer unauthorized punishment on those who they perceive to be violating laws, social norms, or moral standards. We investigated whether the willingness to become a vigilante can be predicted by grandiose self-perceptions about one's communality (communal narcissism) and enjoyment of cruelty (sadism). As hypothesized, findings demonstrated both variables to be positively related to becoming a vigilante as measured by reports of past and anticipated vigilante behavior (Study 1) and by dispositional tendencies toward vigilantism (Studies 1 and 2). We also found communal narcissism and sadism predicted the perceived effectiveness of vigilante actions exhibited by others (Study 2) and the intention to engage in vigilantism after witnessing a norm violation (Study 3). Finally, Study 3 also demonstrated that the tendency for communal narcissists and sadists to become a vigilante might vary based on the expected consequences of the observed norm violation.
Relevance Statement
A prosocial orientation and cruelty seem antithetical. However, our results showed that these traits may converge in predicting individuals’ tendency to become a vigilante, marked by imposing unauthorized punishments on others.
Key Insights
- We study factors that predict willingness to become a vigilante.
- We found that communal narcissism predicted vigilante tendencies.
- Sadism was also a significant predictor of vigilantism.
- Effects hold even after controlling for demographic covariates.
Some thoughts as a clinical psychologist
This research on communal narcissism and sadism as factors in vigilantism is interesting from a clinical perspective. It sheds light on the motivations behind individuals who take justice into their own hands, often in ways that can be harmful.
The focus on communal narcissism, where people believe their group is superior and deserves special treatment, resonates with our understanding of in-group/out-group dynamics. These individuals might see themselves as righteous defenders of their community's morals, justifying their aggressive actions.
The link to sadism, the enjoyment of inflicting suffering, suggests a darker side to vigilantism. It's important to consider how a desire for control or even punishment might fuel some vigilante behavior, potentially escalating situations and overshadowing any sense of justice.
