Gang Dynamics Through the Lens of Social Identity Theory

Gang Membership: The Psychological Evidence

“…Once they have identified with a gang whose identity is characterized by its deviant activity then the chances are that the member will adopt a deviant lifestyle -on behalf of the gang. Research examining social identity in gang members shows how identifying with a gang can dramatically reduce the deterrence effect of potential punishment for delinquency (Hennigan & Spanovic, 2012). This research showed that youth who identified with their gang, compared to nongang youth, put 9 gang norms of deviancy before any personal concerns they had regarding being caught and punished for criminal activity.…”

“…This research showed that youth who identified with their gang, compared to nongang youth, put 9 gang norms of deviancy before any personal concerns they had regarding being caught and punished for criminal activity. As Hennigan and Spanovic (2012) Consequently, it seems that identifying with a gang can counteract the effects of deterrents such as potential punishment that work to prevent nongang youth from offending. In short, identifying with a gang is likely to help increase a youth's involvement in deviant behavior.…”

Escape from violence: What reduces the enduring consequences of adolescent gang affiliation?

“…Youth gangs develop “group esteem” in place of self-esteem, and in-group solidarity and intergroup conflict build upon and reinforce each other through self-sustaining cycles (Klein & Maxson, 2006). The collective norms of youth gangs support and expect aggressive action when derogation of “collective honor” occurs, and individuals that identify with the gang are expected to quickly resort to violence above levels motivated by individual proclivities (Hennigan & Spanovic, 2012; Papachristos, 2009). In addition, the development of “oppositional culture” and viewing oneself as a victim of oppression or the unfair target of racism and inequality further mobilizes techniques of neutralization among gang youth (Esbensen & Deschenes, 1998; Moore & Vigil, 1989).…”

Gang Transitions and Transformations in an International Context

“…They regularly measure to what extent individual gang members subscribe to this code to explain the violence they use, foregoing the group nature of this violence (Brezina et al 2004 ;Matsuda et al 2013 ;Stewart and Simons 2006 ). Other authors have indeed looked at how the process of violence itself generates expectations for further violence and a " normative structure " by which violence becomes an expected response to threats (real or perceived), fosters group cohesion, and ultimately legitimates the "gang" itself Hennigan and Spanovic 2012 ). Fagan et al ( 2007 ) talk of an " ecology of danger ," in which expectations of future violence generate environments, where violence spreads quickly.…”