https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0731-3099
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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.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Heith Copes for his invaluable comments and suggestions on the preliminary versions of this work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. The pretitle in Latin can be translated as ‘Through Fantasy to Truth,’ a way to emphasize the importance that fantasy can have as a tool for knowledge.
2. Please note that alongside the publication of this study, a parallel application of the concept of joint fantasizing is presented in Poppi and Copes (Citation2024). This work introduces a second application of joint fantasizing within the context of the construction of criminal group identities, further expanding the understanding and implications of this methodological and conceptual approach in criminological research.