Football hooliganism: comparing self‐awareness and social identity theory explanations

Abstract

The emergence of research interest in group violence in general and football hooliganism in particular has been explained by various models generally relying on situational or individual differences accounts. Yet, these two research traditions have largely evolved independently, showing little or no interaction. In the present study (N ¼ 109), we integrate measures of these two approaches and the results reveal that social identity was more predictive of self-reported physical aggression than of loss of private and public self-awareness. Moreover, attitudes towards violence were the most marked predictor variables of both physical and verbal aggression. In the discussion, the moderator effect of social identity and attitudes about violence on physical aggression is elaborated upon.

Violent and Antisocial Behaviours at Football Events and Factors Associated with these Behaviours: A rapid evidence assessment

“…Ostrowsky goes on to discuss how hooliganism may counter boredom and give participants a source of meaning in a current society where 'opportunities for taking risks have been shrinking'; in addition, hooliganism may allow an opportunity for individuals to express their masculinity and offer a sense of 'belonging, solidarity, and friendship' (Ostrowsky 2014). Finally, personality traits can be a factor as well -survey results from the Netherlands indicate that self-reported 'openness to experience' may be related to group-based aggression (Van Hiel et al 2007).…”

Reduced self-referential neural response during intergroup competition predicts competitor harm

“…In part, the absence of evidence is due to the difficulty of quantifying the immediate accessibility of personal standards of morality. For example, a recent study on physical aggression among soccer fans (Van Hiel et al, 2007) measured private self-awareness, though it did so via self-report (“If my team scores a goal I really lose myself completely”). The usefulness of this dependent measure hinges on participants’ ability to reflect explicitly, retrospectively, and accurately on their own reduced self-reflection.…”

Service user involvement in risk assessment and management: The Transition Inventory

“…Answers to Part B are also in an agree/disagree format. The MCAA has been shown to be a valid and reliable measure of antisocial attitudes and associates, demonstrating predictive validity (Mills et al, ; Mills et al, ; Van Hiel et al, ; Bäckström & Björklund, ).…”