Explain Thrasher's, Klein's, and Miller's definitions of gangs. Discuss their similarities or differences

What will be an ideal response?


• Thrasher: An interstitial group originally formed spontaneously and then integrated through conflict. It is characterized by the following types of behavior: meeting face to face, milling, movement through space as a unit, conflict, and planning. The result of this collective behavior is the development of tradition, unreflective internal structure, esprit de corps, solidarity, morale, group awareness, and attachment to local territory.
• Klein: Any denotable adolescent group of youngsters who (a) are generally perceived as a distinct aggregation by others in their neighborhood; (b) recognize themselves as a denotable group (almost invariably with a group name); and (c) have been involved in a sufficient number of delinquent incidents to call forth a consistent negative response from neighborhood residents and/or law enforcement agencies.
• Miller: A self-formed association of peers, bound together by mutual interests, with identifiable leadership, well-developed lines of authority, and other organizational features, who act in concert to achieve a specific purpose or purposes, which generally include the conduct of illegal activity and control over a particular territory, facility, or type of enterprise.
• Student views will vary.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

What are the two primary tests for determining whether a corporation should be criminally liable?

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Florida Supreme Court's decision in Florida v. Bostick (1991), this justice was concerned that racial minorities would become targets of police in "stop and frisk" situations:

a. Marshall b. Warren c. Douglas d. Harlan

Criminal Justice

Unauthorized intrusion into a computer is called:

a. Crashing. b. Whacking. c. Hacking. d. Spamming.

Criminal Justice

For a waiver of a jury trial to be valid, it must be:

a. express. b. intelligent. c. voluntary. d. All of the above

Criminal Justice