Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Gang members -- Drug use -- Iowa, Criminal behavior -- Iowa

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to study the link between gangs, drug use, and delinquency. Previous literature suggests that social learning and social control theories commonly provide theoretical contexts for explaining deviant behavior. The present research applies the principles of Sutherland's (1949) theory of differential association and Hirschi' s (1969) theory of social control to the delinquent behavior of gang members and their drug involvement. The present study does not attempt to explain why youths become gang members. Rather, this research uses an integration of social learning and social control theories to explain why gang members become involved with drugs and commit violent and non-violent offenses. The purpose for using an integrative approach is to gain a more comprehensive understanding for why gang members engage in illegal activities.

Year of Submission

1998

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

First Advisor

Michael J Leiber, Chair

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit an email request to scholarworks@uni.edu. Include your name and clearly identify the thesis by full title and author as shown on the work.

Date Original

12-1998

Object Description

1 PDF file (vi, 90 leaves ; 28 cm)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Included in

Criminology Commons

Share

COinS