Groups, Gangs, and Cohesiveness

Abstract

This paper is concerned with selected qualitative differences between juvenile gangs and other groups which have been the more traditional subject of empirical research. Two factors in particular are emphasized: gang cohesiveness and gang-related delinquent behavior. We take the position that the sources of gang cohesiveness are primarily external to the group, in contrast to the findings on most groups previously studied. Gang delin quency, in addition to being the partial consequence of gang interaction, serves as an additional reinforcer of gang cohe siveness. After a brief review of the literature, we draw the conclusions that available concepts and approaches to the meas urement of group cohesiveness are somewhat insufficient for application to gang research. With the use of data drawn from a study of 576 male Negro gang members in Los Angeles we illustrate several alternate measurement procedures. We view these procedures as a first step toward a sorely needed investiga tion of the relationship between gang cohesiveness and gang delinquency.