Analyzing the Role of Cultural Norms, Social Identity, and Collective Beliefs in Explaining Women’s Criminal Behavior

Subject Areas : Psychology

Seyed Hadi Pazhouman ^{1 *} , Elyas Ghasemi Hamedani ²

1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities Shomal University Amol, Amol, Iran
2 - M. A., Department of Criminal Law & Criminology, Faculty of Humanities Hazrat Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran

Received: 2025-08-31 Accepted : 2025-11-13 Published : 2025-12-05

Keywords: Cultural norms, Social identity, Collective beliefs, Women’s criminal behavior, Cultural psychology,

Abstract :

The present study object was to analyze the role of cultural norms, social identity, and collective beliefs in explaining women’s criminal behavior. The universe of the study encompassed all the research texts concerning women’s criminal behavior. The sample enfolded text related to cultural norms, social identity, and collective beliefs. The study applied a descriptive-analytical approach. To collect data library method via note taking on index cards was processed. The data, then was analyzed by using content analysis. Findings indicated that cultural norms, social identity, and collective beliefs had a key significant role in the women’s track toward criminal behavior.  Individual identity Social forced identity. And women who find out that their individual identity contradicted the socially imposed identity might turn to marginalized groups or criminal behavior to redefine themselves or cope with social exclusion. Collective beliefs, which were reproduced through popular culture, the media, and social institutions, also played a reinforcing or inhibiting role. Beliefs that considered women weak, dependent, and subservient reduced their self-esteem and intensify psychological and social pressures, while beliefs could provide a basis for reducing crime and creating a positive social identity. Finally, this study showed that female criminality is a multidimensional phenomenon and a more accurate understanding of this phenomenon requires simultaneous attention to social, cultural, psychological, and structural dimensions. Only with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach can effective solutions be provided to prevent, reduce women's crime, and promote social justice.

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