Using network community detection to investigate psychological and social features of individuals condemned for mafia crimes

Objective: Only few studies have investigated social and personality characteristics of members of Italian organized criminal groups: Mafia, Camorra, ‘Ndrangheta, and Sacra Corona Unita. This study aimed to explore the most relevant social and clinical features of Mafia criminals and their psychopathic traits. Method: The Psychopathy Check List-Revised (PCL-R) and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered to 30 condemned for Mafia crimes and imprisoned in the “Pagliarelli” district prison of Palermo (Italy). The results were investigated applying the methods of Network Theory. Results: The study identified two communities, which were statistically different in terms of history of juvenile delinquency, levels of education, and antisocial and deviant behaviours score at PCL-R. Conclusions: The onset of antisocial behaviour and educational achievement might be relevant variables in understanding mafia offences, as well as antisocial behaviours in general. Moreover, methodologies of Network Theory may be used to characterize real-world complex systems of sociological and clinical dates.