CRJ 435 EXAM 1- MIDTERM EXAM

Needs Grading Name and describe the distinct types of gang members identified by Tita and colleagues (2003). Be sure to identify the most common type. Selecte d Answer: Correct The most common type of gang member identified by Tita and colleagues is the "Active Soldier". They are the most likely to be involved with gang activity other than attacking rival gangs. Second, there "Shot Callers" are the leaders, they are older and usually isolated from the gang's every day activity. Finally, the "Shooters" are the most likely members to commit crimes against other gangs. Answer: According to Tita and colleagues (2003), the majority of gangs have three primary types of members: (1) “shot callers,” (2) “shooters,” and (3) “active soldiers.” Shot callers are gang leaders, and they are most often older and more isolated from other gang members and activities. Shooters are the members most likely to engage in violent acts directed toward another gang. Finally, active soldiers, the most common type of gang members, are those who are most likely to report an association with a gang though they are not necessarily involved in violent attacks of rivals. • Question 2 Needs Grading Compare and contrast the two terms most commonly used to describe gangs in the empirical literature: “youth gangs” and “street gangs”. Selecte The term youth gang and street gang are often used interchangeably. However, d there is a distinction between the two terms. Youth gang refers to a young gang-- Answer: one that is not heavily involved in major criminal activity. Street gangs are older gangs that are involved in more serious crimes like assault, robbery, and murder. Correct Answer: The two terms most commonly used to describe gangs in the empirical literature are (1) “youth gangs” and (2) “street gangs.” Youth gangs are younger gangs whose members are largely children and adolescents. Since members in these gangs have participated in gang activity for a comparatively shorter time than members of street gangs, prevention and intervention programs are recommended. Street gangs, on the other hand, tend to have older members who commit largely violent urban crimes. Some street gangs are also involved in drug trafficking. • Question 3 Needs Grading What is the difference between gangs that have a horizontal structure and gangs with a vertical structure? Selecte A horizontal structure is one in which there are links between separate gangs. d For example, the Chicano gangs of LA. These gangs, while separate from each Answer: other, have a common solidarity around them being from barrios. This solidarity adds to the individual gang's stability. A vertical structure is a typical gang structure in which leadership is divided into different levels or hierarchies--a member's power and authority is related to their position in the chain of command.