Group Dynamics in Bias Crimes committed by Mixed Sex, Male, or Female Groups of Suspects

• In Event: Hate Crime Contextualized

Abstract

While bias crimes more frequently involve groups of suspects compared to non-bias crimes, little research has examined the nature of those group dynamics. Similarly, prior attempts to create theories to explain bias crimes have focused more on masculine reasons for offending, ignoring the presence of women as suspects in roughly 30% of bias crimes. This study attempts to explore this gap by utilizing the National Incidence-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for 2009-2013 to examine over 6,000 cases of bias crimes. In particular, this study examines the characteristics of bias crimes when examining the nature of the suspects’ group composition – as men acting with other men, women acting with other women, or mixed groups of individuals – compared to individuals committing bias crimes. The study utilized chi-squares and regression analyses to explore the sex and group/individual differences in bias crime. Unexpectedly, the mixed sex groups did represent any kind of “average” between male groups and female groups, instead, mixed sex groups appeared to have unique characteristics (e.g., more likely to include the use of weapons than either male or female groups, but less likely to cause major injury). Implications for the study of gender and group dynamics and crime will be discussed.

Authors

• Rebecca Stotzer, University of Hawaii

• Meripa Godinet, University of Hawaii