What Mafia do we have in mind? An exploratory study on mafia representation among ordinary people

Labels are frames that emphasize certain characteristics of a phenomenon while downplaying others. The mafia, widely recognized as a criminal organization, can also reveal much about the ways in which we give meaning to our life experiences. This study explores contemporary representations of the mafia among ordinary people in southern Italy. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, we collected open-ended responses from 587 participants about how they perceive the mafia. The analysis revealed four main thematic cores: the mafia as a cultural system rooted in society, as a parallel State, as a system of power, and as a social pathology. Our findings highlight the mafia’s complex role in the social fabric, a role played not just through criminal activity but also as a deeply embedded cultural and social phenomenon. These insights suggest the opportunity of community-focused psychological interventions.