Citation

Gordon RA. Am. J. Sociol. 1967; 73(1): 42-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1967, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/224435

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Gradients ordering lower-class gang, lower-class non-gang, and middle-class responses to a semantic differential are interpreted as reflecting differences in rewards from interpersonal relations due to differences in the prevalence of psychopathology. Support is found in other studies and in other data. The theoretical inference is made that in groups in which interpersonal relations are insufficiently rewarding to be self-sustaining, group cohesiveness will depend upon activities that are facilitated, rather than hindered, by such personal limitations. Evidence in the literature suggests that the delinquent activities of gangs perform this latent function.