1. Social Disorganization/Social Ecology*
Kelly Cheeseman Dial, PhD
AJ 325
*Some information taken from Texas police departments gang information webpages

2. A few questions to consider
What is social organization?
What are the qualities of a desirable community? An undesirable community?

3. The Beginning’s Rise of cities in Europe
Competition within communities
This set of ideas is in direct challenge to biological determinism of the late 1800’s

4. The Chicago School University of Chicago (1920’s and 1930’s)
Asked the questions:
If crime is a result of individual defects, why do some geographical areas have more crime than others?
How is it that some neighborhoods have high rates of crime despite a complete turnover in their population?

5. Park and Burgess

6. Shaw and Mckay Juvenile Delinquency in urban areas ( 1942)
Mapped addresses of delinquents
What were the specific characteristics of the zone in transition?
Population heterogeneity
Population turnover
Physical decay
Poverty/inequality

7. Explaining high crime in the zone of transition
Social control
Little community cohesion
Weak community institutions
Cultural transmission of values
Once crime takes root
Delinquent values are passed through to other generations

8. Measuring Disorganization
Census variables:
Age distribution, marital
status, household income,
ethnic heterogeneity,
unemployment,
residential mobility

10. Crime and Economic Conditions
Does poverty cause crime?

11. Strain Theory is about Deviant Motivation
Assumption #1: We are all naturally law-abiding, if given the chance
Assumption #2: We break rules when we experience strain
Assumption #3: Strain originates in our social experience

12. What do you do when bad things happen?
Someone abuses you physically? emotionally?
You fail a test you studied for
Your loved one dumps you
Your parent dies suddenly
Your parents get a divorce
You become a crime victim

13. Responding to Stress Stress responses occur at three levels:
Emotional responses
Physiological responses
Behavioral responses
Emotional responses are usually negative and fall into three categories:
1. Annoyance, anger, and rage
2. Apprehension, anxiety, and fear
3. Dejection, sadness, and grief

14. Responding to Stress (cont.)
However, stress can prompt positive emotional responses which in turn:
Increase creativity, flexibility in problem solving, and
Enhance immune system functioning, increase valuable social support and promote proactive coping.

15. Responding to Stress (cont.)
Behavioral Responses to stress usually refer to coping, or active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the demands created by stress.
Coping response may be either:
Healthy (e.g., actively trying to solve problem by asking for help or generating solutions) or
Unhealthy (e.g., ignoring problem, indulging in alcohol or excessive eating). Criminal behavior?

16. The Potential Effects of Stress
Impaired task performance.
Stress can cause people to “freeze up”, or “crack under pressure”.
Elevated self-consciousness can disrupt attention to task.
Disruption of cognitive function.
Increased tendency to jump to conclusions.
Decreased ability to carefully review options.
Decreased memory function.

17. The Potential Effects of Stress (cont.)
Burnout – physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism and lowered sense of self-efficacy that is attributable to work-related stress.
Factors in workplace that promote burnout include lack of control over responsibilities, work overload, and lack of recognition.
Burnout can result in increased absenteeism, reduced productivity and risk of illness

18. Figure 3. 14 The antecedents, components, and consequences of burnout
Figure The antecedents, components, and consequences of burnout. Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter have developed a systematic model of burnout that specifies its antecedents, components, and consequences. The antecedents on the left in the diagram are the stressful features of the work environment that cause burnout. The burnout syndrome itself consists of the three components shown in the center of the diagram. Some of the unfortunate results of burnout are listed on the right. (Based on Leiter & Maslach, 2001).
Figure 3.14

19. The Potential Effects of Stress (cont.)
Psychological problems and disorders.
Stress may contribute to:
Poor academic performance;
Insomnia and other sleep disturbances;
Sexual difficulties; and
Substance abuse.

20. Agnew’s (1992) Strain Theory
Blocked
Goals
Negative
Emotions
(mostly anger,
but also anxiety and depression)
Corrective
Actions

21. The American Dream Culturally valued goals Legitimate means
Money, status, material objects
Legitimate means
Hard work, perseverance

22. Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory: A Critique of U.S. Society
Critique #1: Our culture’s requirement that people achieve success (i.e., wealth) is stronger than its requirement that they play by the rules to attain it
Critique #2: There is a mismatch between our culture’s universal success goals (wealth) and people’s differential access to the legitimate means to achieving those goals

23. Merton’s Adaptations to Strain
Mode of
Adaptation
Adhere to
Cultural Goals
Legitimate Means
Conformity
Yes
Ritualism No
Innovat.
Retreatist
Rebellion
Reject culture, strive for change
Can use legitimate means or not
Read !

24. Albert Cohen: Strain Theory and Delinquent Subculture
Strain: Lower class youth fail to achieve middle class standards ( “middle class measuring rod”) -> strain (status frustration)
Reduce strain by creating an alternative status system - a group solution to the problem of strain
Oppositional subculture:
Middle class values upside down
Explains non-utilitarian deviance (e.g., vandalism)

25. Strain & “Anomie” in Society
Disjuncture between socially valued goals and legitimate means for achieving those goals
Anomie = a state of “normlessness” in society
Rules inspire less commitment
We don’t trust that others will follow rules

26. Overview of Strain Theories
Agnew’s Strain Theory
Blocked goals->negative emotion->corrective action
Merton’s Strain Theory
Success is valued more than playing by the rules
Differential access to legitimate means
Cohen’s Strain Theory
Oppositional/delinquent adaptation to status frustration

27. Policy Implications of Strain Theory
Equalize opportunities for success
De-emphasize material success goals
Re-emphasize playing by the rules

28. Group Work
If your neighborhood is a “zone of transition” what can be done to change it?
How does fear influence crime and neighborhood interactions?
Identify reasons why youths join gangs?
Are neighborhood watch programs effective? Why or why not?

29. Modern S.D. Theory
“Concentric Rings” not necessary, modern SD examines at the basic neighborhood level
Ecological characteristics have an effect on a neighborhoods level of informal social control
What are informal social controls at the neighborhood level?

30. Sampson and Groves ( 1989) British Crime Survey Data
Population turnover
Poverty/inequality
Divorce rates
Single parents
Street supervision
Friendship networks
Participation in neighborhood organizations

31. Sampson ( 1997) Replicated his results in Chicago
Areas with concentrated disadvantage:
Poverty
Family disruption
Primarily minority
Willingness to exercise control ( i.e. tell kids to quiet down)
Willingness to trust or help each other
Lack of “collective efficacy”
This lack of collective efficacy increases crime rates

32. Does poverty cause crime? 5 things to consider
Poverty is subjective
Good economy = low crime??
Amount of time in poverty conditions
Which factor is causing the crime?
Difference between poverty and economic inequality.

33. What is a Gang?
Texas Penal Code 71.01(d) says: “Three or more persons having a common identifying sign symbol or leadership, who continuously or regularly associate in the commission of criminal activities.”

34. Recruiting

35. Reasons for Gang Membership
The gang provides needs: Love, Compassion, Nurturing, and Financial gain
The gang gives them a sense of security, structure, and respect that is often missing at home
The gang is loyal and accepts them for who they are
Peer pressure
Excitement of gang activity

36. The Three Big Lies The gang provides protection
The gang will get you respect
The gang will be your family and won’t let you down

37. Identifying Potential Gang Members (cont.)
Imitation of the dress and/or behavior of a known gang
Tattoos drawn on the body, either self made or professionally
Glorifies or emulates a known gang member’s behavior or symbols
Hanging out with a new group of friends
Changes in personality or behavior
Alcohol or drug abuse
Frequently bruised or injured
Carrying guns, knives or other weapons

38. Types of Gang Activity Extortion Intimidation Burglary
Face to face confrontations
Fights
Recruitment rituals: jumping in/sexing in
Graffiti
Hand Signs: flagging
Tattoos
Drive-by shootings
Drug use and trafficking

39. Stages of Gang Membership
Wannabe/Gonnabe
Wants to be a gang member
Probably will be a gang member
Peripheral
One who hangs around with the gang
May or may not engage in the gang activities
Associates
Actual gang members who have been jumped in
Hardcore
Lives only for the gang
Most violent

40. Physical Signs of Gang Membership
CAPS/HATS
Black, dark blue, and red are popular gang colors. Notice how the cap is worn, on one side or the other and look for writing either sewed onto the cap or under the bill.
SHIRTS
The styles of shirts can range from T-shirts to Pendleton shirts. How the shirt is worn is important. Look for writings or drawings on the shirt.

41. Physical Signs of Gang Membership (cont.)
PANTS
The color and style of pants may or may not be important; blue, black and khaki pants are popular. How are the pants worn? If a belt is being worn is the buckle facing to the left or the right.
COATS/JACKETS
University and Professional sports teams jackets are popular.
SHOES
Plain high top and low top basketball shoes are popular. Doc Martin and military style lace-up boots are popular with Skinheads. Look at the color and name brand of the shoes along with the color of the shoelaces.

42. Physical Signs of Gang Membership (cont.)
BANDANAS/TOWELS
Notice how the bandana is folded and the color. Gang members have started carrying face towels in the gangs colors due to the attention being brought by the bandanas.
GRAFFITI
Check for graffiti on school books, papers, clothing, etc.
JEWELRY
Neck chains are the most popular. Also look at ring and earring styles. They may depict violence or wealth.

43. Physical Signs of Gang Membership (cont.)
TATTOOS
Tattoos may identify the person as a gang member by showing the gang’s initials, gang sign or the name of a fallen gang member. Tattoos may also show the members street name or the 3 dots.
SPEECH
Prolong use of gang slang during a conversation is an indicator of gang association or awareness.

44. Graffiti First indication of gang activity Newspaper of the streets
Used to mark turf
Declares allegiance to the gang
Advertises the gang’s power or status
Challenge to rivals: by crossing out rival gang/RIH
Occasionally will contain street names of gang members
Used to pay respect to fallen gang members
Report graffiti to law enforcement
Cleanup as soon as possible: leaving it there implies that the gang is accepted

45. Graffiti Examples

46. Alphabets

47. Alphabets (cont.)

48. Tattoos Show allegiance to the gang Usually contain name of the gang
Members street names
Three dot tattoos: Mi Vida Loca/My Crazy Life
Thespian faces: Smile Now, Cry Later

49. Hand Signs Cryptic messages Usually in the form of a letter
Originated with Black Gangs
Used to tell a story, challenge rival gangs, and brag
Identifies which gang a gang member belongs to

50. Types of Gangs Social Gang Delinquent Gang Violent Gang
Relatively permanent group that hangs out at a specific location
Members have a sense of camaraderie
Often engage in organized group activities
Usually the more stable youths with norms and values of society in general
Delinquent Gang
Organized for monetary gain from delinquent activities
Members depend on one another to carry out activities and provide back-up
Most common type
Violent Gang
Obtain emotional gratification from violent activities
Tend to be emotionally unstable: have a need to control others
Tend to overestimate their importance, size, and power
Usually have inner group violence

51. Gang Behaviors Creatures of habit Always have a back-up
Natural fear of failure
Love to brag
Documentation of crimes in graffiti and personal writings
Perceive fear as respect

52. Major Gang Nations Crips
Formed in 1968 by black high school students Ray Washington and Stanley “Tookie” Williams in Compton, California ghettos
Identify with the color blue
Align themselves with the Folk Nation
Enemies of Bloods and People Nation
Refer to Bloods as “Slobs” or “Blobs”

53. Major Gang Nations Folk Nation
Formed in late 60’s by David Barksdale the founder of the Black Gangster Disciples in Chicago, Illinois
Adopted the Jewish Star of David as main symbol in honor of Barksdale
Motto “All is One”
Identify to the right
Pitchfork up means Mind, Body, and Soul coming together in one nation
Align with the Crips

54. Major Gang Nations Bloods/Pirus
Formed in reaction to the Crips by Sylvester Scott and Vincent Owens
Smaller than the Crips but more cohesive
Violence makes up for the smaller numbers
Identify with the color Red
Align with the People Nation
Enemies of the Crips and Folk Nation
Refer to Crips as “Crabs”

55. Major Gang Nations People Nation
Formed by members of the Black P Stone Rangers in Chicago, Illinois
Five point star is main symbol
Identify with the number five
Identify to the left
Motto “All is Well”
Pitchfork down
Eye, Pyramid, Sun, and Half Crescent Moon
symbols

56. Gang Dress & Tattoos

57. CRIP TATTOOS

58. BLOOD TATTOOS

59. SUR 13 TATTOOS

60. Gang Homework?

61. Gang Homework?

63. Gang Life

64. Raise your gang awareness level. Supervise your children.
Three goals that parents and communities should seek to reduce the adverse impact of gangs, its associated violence and its devastating life-long impacts are:
Raise your gang awareness level.
Supervise your children.
Get involved with your children, your neighborhood and your community.