Research and analysis

Understanding the psychology of gang violence

An exploratory study to add to the understanding of the psychological processes contributing to violence carried out by gang members.

Documents

Understanding the psychology of gang violence: implications for designing effective violence interventions

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Details

An exploratory study that seeks to add to the understanding of the psychological processes contributing to violence carried out by prisoners identified as street-gang members.

The over-arching aim is to identify potential implications for improving existing violence reduction interventions for this group of offenders.

Specifically the research aims to provide information relating to the following questions:

  • What is a gang?
  • What factors motivate individuals to join a street gang?
  • What factors maintain gang membership in prison and the community?
  • What factors are associated with desistance from gang involvement/membership?
  • How does gang membership influence an individual’s use of violence?

Updates to this page

Published 24 February 2011

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