Per Imaginem ad Veritatem: Joint Fantasizing of Crime

• In Event: Narrative Criminology

Abstract

This study introduces the concept of joint fantasizing into narrative criminology. Joint fantasizing is presented as a conceptual and methodological innovation because it allows for the exploration of fantasies, a type of narrative capable of conveying highly important content, often unattainable through other means. It does so in a collective and shared manner, minimizing the researcher's presence, thereby improving the ecological validity of individual interviews, widely used in narrative criminology. By analyzing joint fantasizing that emerge from interactions among four men who comprise a motor vehicle theft group, the analysis identifies the functions of joint fantasizing within a criminal context, categorizing them as "Formation of Subcultural Narratives," "Escapism and Catharsis," and "Symbolic Resistance and Moral superiority." By delving into the multifaceted dimensions of joint fantasizing, this study aims to suggest a novel conceptual and methodological framework and contribute valuable insights into the identities, values, motivations of individuals within the criminal landscape.

Author

• Fabio I. M. Poppi, University of Łódź, Poland/Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lituania