Gang Membership Theory

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According to Curry et al. (2014) “there has been a great deal of research examining the risk factors for gang membership…prior to 2006 there were twenty articles…today that figure has nearly doubled” (p. 38). There are four overarching theories that explain the variables of risk factors for gang memberships. The theories include: criminal propensity theory, social bond theory, general strain theory, and social learning theory. When understanding and collecting research pertaining to evidence on risk factors for gang membership, keeping these four major theories separated is crucial. Curry et al. (2014) clarify two main reasons for keeping the theories isolated. The first is that the evidence for the “risk factors are generally inseparable from …show more content…
38). …show more content…
(2014) was the confirmation of both the criminal propensity and social learning theories. In relation to gang prevention programs, Curry et al. (2014) expound, “policies to reduce gang membership should also target the mechanisms described by criminal propensity as well as social learning theory” (p. 42). The criminal propensity theory holds characteristics that are not expected to evolve over time, which include low self-control and risk seeking, among other factors. While the social learning theory describes features that predict gang membership such as associating with delinquent peers. The GREAT program is an example of a program that assists in attitudinal categories by “reducing anger, self-centeredness, peer pressure, delinquent peer exposure, hitting neutralizations, improving attitudes of the police, pro-social peers, refusal skills, pro-social involvement, collective efficacy, and attitude about gangs” (Curry et al., 2014, p. 183). By the program focusing on attitude, especially reducing delinquent peer exposure and building self-control skills, this allows the reduction and prevention of gang membership. Gang prevention programs that embody the use of detached street worker programs (i.e. The Group Guidance Project, Ladino Hills Program) are not useful nor support the evidence of on risk factors for gang membership. By treating the already established gang as a
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