Question 1

Gangs involved in profit-oriented schemes frequently resort to ______ to protect their illicit businesses.

Accepted Answer

Gangs involved in profit-oriented schemes often resort to violence to protect their illicit businesses from competition or interference by law enforcement. They may use threats, intimidation, or physical force to maintain control over their territory and customers. Other options like drug sales, increased marketing, or cybercrime may also play a role, but violence is a common tool in the arsenal of gangs involved in illegal businesses.

Question 2

Major gangs have made ______ an important source of income, and activities in this area have become even more lucrative with the advent of a street market for a variety of drugs.

Accepted Answer

The mention of a "street market for a variety of drugs" indicates that the gangs are involved in the trafficking of narcotics, making it the most appropriate choice. The other options - sale of stolen property, narcotics manufacturing, and narcotics theft - may also be sources of income for gangs, but they are not specifically mentioned in the given sentence.

Question 3

According to Thrasher (1927), gangs originate naturally during the ______ years from spontaneous playgroups, which eventually find themselves in conflict with other groups.

Accepted Answer

According to Thrasher's study, gangs originate naturally during the adolescent years from spontaneous playgroups that eventually find themselves in conflict with other groups.

Question 4

Exposure to ______, either in the home or in the community, is considered an indicator of juvenile gun violence.

Accepted Answer

Exposure to violence, whether it is in the home or in the community, can lead to an increased likelihood of juvenile gun violence. Studies have shown that children and teens who witness or experience violence are more likely to exhibit violent behavior themselves. Therefore, exposure to violence is an important indicator to consider when addressing the issue of juvenile gun violence.

Question 5

When officials know that gangs are behind a good deal of the illegal activity occurring in their jurisdictions, they deny the importance of gangs for ______ reasons.

Accepted Answer

Officials may deny the importance of gangs for political reasons, such as not wanting to appear weak on crime or facing backlash from certain constituencies. Social reasons may not be a factor in their denial, as acknowledging the problem could actually lead to social benefits such as increased safety and intervention programs. Economic and jurisdictional reasons may also not be applicable in this context.

Question 6

The easy availability of marijuana would be classified as which type of category of risk factors for gang membership?

Accepted Answer

Neighborhood risk factors are external to an individual and are associated with the conditions of the immediate environment, including levels of crime, poverty, and drug availability. The easy availability of marijuana in a neighborhood can make it easier for individuals to experiment with drugs and potentially become involved in gang activity.

Question 7

______ factors of gang development include place of residence, school attended, location of parks and hangouts, age, race, and nationality.

Accepted Answer

These factors relate to the social environment and cultural context in which individuals live and can influence their decision to join a gang. Psychosocial factors include individual and family dynamics, such as family dysfunction, low self-esteem, and peer pressure. Physiological factors refer to the biological and neurological determinants of behavior. Criminological factors focus on the criminal justice system and its policies and practices.

Question 8

During the 1950s and 1960s, gang development and delinquency came to be regarded as a product of social forces rather than ______ deviance.

Accepted Answer

Prior to the 1950s and 1960s, much of the understanding of gang development and delinquency was focused on individual deviance, such as biological or psychological factors that may have influenced delinquent behavior. However, during the 1950s and 1960s, social factors such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunity came to be recognized as major contributors to gang involvement and delinquency. As a result, gang development and delinquency were regarded as products of social forces rather than individual deviance during this time period.

Question 9

Since the year 2000, gang problems have ______.

Accepted Answer

According to the National Gang Center, gang problems have increased since the year 2000.

Question 10

Drinking alcohol at an early age would be classified as which type of category of risk factors for gang membership?

Accepted Answer

Drinking alcohol at an early age is an individual risk factor, since it is a decision and behavior made by an individual. The other options - family, peer group, and school - refer to external factors that can influence gang membership, but are not directly related to an individual's behavior or choices.

Question 11

______ factors of gang development include dependency needs, family rejection, and impulse control.

Accepted Answer

The factors listed (dependency needs, family rejection, and impulse control) are all related to individual psychological processes, such as motivations and personality traits. Therefore, the best choice is B, psychological.

Question 12

Cohen (1955) concluded that much delinquent behavior stems from attempts by lower-class youth to resolve status problems resulting from trying to live up to middle-class norms encountered in the ______ system.

Accepted Answer

Cohen's theory was focused on how youth from lower-class backgrounds struggle to meet the expectations set by middle-class norms encountered in the educational system. This leads to frustration and a sense of failure, which can contribute to delinquent behavior.

Question 13

It should be noted that ______ children may provide a variety of clues or indicators of future gun violence in artwork or other similar school assignments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It should be noted that ______ children...

Question 14

American researchers consistently find that the most common weapons used in juvenile homicides are ______.

Accepted Answer

American researchers consistently find that firearms are the most common weapons used in juvenile homicides.

Question 15

Associating with friends who engage in delinquency would be classified as which type of category of risk factors for gang membership?

Accepted Answer

Associating with delinquent peers is a risk factor that falls under the category of peer group.

Question 16

Juveniles who determine they cannot live up to middle-class norms often seek out others like themselves and form what Cohen called a delinquent:

Accepted Answer

Cohen referred to the group of juveniles as a delinquent subculture, which is formed by individuals who share similar norms and values that deviate from mainstream society.

Question 17

In the 1960s and 1970s, gang development was viewed as a response to injustice and oppression and was explained by which theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 1960s and 1970s, gang development...

Question 18

Cohen (1955) emphasized that gang juveniles have a negative value system by ______ standards, which results in a "status frustration" that is acted out in a "nonutilitarian, negativistic" fashion through the vehicle of the gang.

Accepted Answer

Cohen (1955) argued that gang juveniles, often from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, experience status frustration due to the inability to achieve success through middle-class value systems, leading them to act out in ways that reject these standards.

Question 19

Intense ______ that has built up from previous events is also considered to be an indicator of juvenile gun violence.

Accepted Answer

Intense anger is a common factor in juvenile gun violence as it can lead to impulsive and violent behavior.

Question 20

Female gang members have ______ than do male gang members.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that female gang members have lower levels of self-esteem compared to their male counterparts. This may be due to the fact that females tend to join gangs as a way of seeking approval and belonging, and may feel lower self-worth if they do not receive this from their peers within the gang. While female gang members may also experience harsh family lives and lower academic success, these factors are not unique to female gang members and are also experienced by male gang members. In terms of violence, studies have shown that female gang members may actually be just as violent as males in certain contexts.

Quiz 12: Violent Juveniles and Gangs