NCJ Number
147608
Journal
Sociology and Social Research Volume: 51 Dated: (1966) Pages: 49-62
Date Published
1966
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Fifty-four judgmental items thought to distinguish between "core" and "fringe" members of juvenile gangs were applied by gang workers to 120 African-American and Mexican- American gang members.
Abstract
The items that significantly differentiated between core and fringe members were submitted to a factor analysis that produced two major factors called "deficient- aggressive" and "group involvement." Core gang members had these characteristics to a greater degree than the fringe members. Gang members with the deficient-aggressive characteristics had lower school performance, lower intelligence, lower impulse control, higher recorded delinquency, dependence on the group, fewer interests unrelated to the gang, and a greater willingness to fight. Gang members characterized by group involvement more often participated in spontaneous activities, had more clique involvement, made a greater total contribution to the group, had a greater desire to lead, and were more accepted by core gang members. These findings suggest that attempts at extricating juveniles from a gang will be more successful with those who have few deficient-aggressive characteristics and low group involvement. An action-research program could test this hypothesis. 4 tables and 15 footnotes