This paper is focused on gang violence and two separate theories that will provide support for the explanation of one subject. What is gang violence? That is a great question, it involves killing, vandalism, theft (belongings and auto), and the beating of rival gang members. Gang violence is very prevalent in communities with low income. The two theorists I have chosen are B.F Skinner (conditioning) John B Watson’s (Classical Conditioning) and Robert K. Merton 's (Anomie Theory).
According to B.F Skinner, the study of behaviorism is simply observing what people do. John B. Watson was most famous for his experiments with Little Albert. In terms of conditioning, John would definitely take the stand of the nurture. The nature versus nurture …show more content…
Merton who studied the strain some individuals have on reaching the “American dream.” In society, there are cultural goals that everyone tries to obtain, however, not everyone has the same opportunities to reach those goals in a legitimate way. According to (Merton, 1938, p673),
There are two phases of social structure: the cultural goals and the “correct way” of attaining those goals. In some cases the family dynamic of the homes of these kids who in turn become juvenile delinquents are lacking of moral and financial support. The anomie theory suggests that those people in society who aren 't able to reach societal norms the lawful way will feel a strain and use alternate means of getting things. For example, a gang member may rob a store for financial reasons, food, and to simply get by on a day to day basis. Using this theory to explain gang violence is spot on because gangs use very unconventional ways of obtaining money and power. Which in our culture gangs are very prevalent in our society because they affect us all. When gang members see those extra commas in their account and are now able to live their lives, they feel a justification towards the alternate way of achieving the cultural norms that society has set a standard
According to B.F Skinner, the study of behaviorism is simply observing what people do. John B. Watson was most famous for his experiments with Little Albert. In terms of conditioning, John would definitely take the stand of the nurture. The nature versus nurture …show more content…
Merton who studied the strain some individuals have on reaching the “American dream.” In society, there are cultural goals that everyone tries to obtain, however, not everyone has the same opportunities to reach those goals in a legitimate way. According to (Merton, 1938, p673),
There are two phases of social structure: the cultural goals and the “correct way” of attaining those goals. In some cases the family dynamic of the homes of these kids who in turn become juvenile delinquents are lacking of moral and financial support. The anomie theory suggests that those people in society who aren 't able to reach societal norms the lawful way will feel a strain and use alternate means of getting things. For example, a gang member may rob a store for financial reasons, food, and to simply get by on a day to day basis. Using this theory to explain gang violence is spot on because gangs use very unconventional ways of obtaining money and power. Which in our culture gangs are very prevalent in our society because they affect us all. When gang members see those extra commas in their account and are now able to live their lives, they feel a justification towards the alternate way of achieving the cultural norms that society has set a standard