Chapter 5: Micro-Level Theories: Developmental Life Course Pathways and Other Micro-Level Explanations for Gang Involvement

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is a patterned sequence of behaviors that ranges from minor to more severe?

A. trajectory

B. life course

C. developmental pathway

D. environmental

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. At which of the following developmental age periods does gang membership peak?

A. late childhood

B. middle adolescence

C. late adolescence

D. early adulthood

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Which of the following is an implication of Loeber and colleagues’ (1997, 1999) pathways model?

A. It challenges the age-crime curve in its entirety.

B. It provides detailed, visual support for the age–crime curve.

C. It challenges the notion that youth who engage in earlier delinquency tend to engage in later delinquency.

D. It supports macro-level theorizing on delinquency.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Hard

4. Which of the following is an example of “minor concealed behavior” in the covert pathway of Loeber and colleagues’ (1997, 1999) pathways model?

A. tagging

B. breaking into a home

C. getting into a fistfight

D. stealing from a convenience store

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. ______ is a common variable used for testing gang involvement and delinquency among researchers who employ a developmental pathway model.

A. Gang tagging

B. Self-reported gang membership

C. Gang fighting

D. Drug dealing

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Medium

6. Which of the following is NOT a reason developmental theories have been widely accepted as explanations for delinquent careers and gang activity?

A. They explain the role of neighborhood structure in producing local gangs.

B. They explain the onset and desistance of criminal activity.

C. They explain varying patterns of gang involvement.

D. They explain why individuals may continue to be involved with gangs over time.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Medium

7. According to their interactional theory, which of the following interventions would Thornberry and Krohn be likely to support?

A. mandatory minimum prison sentences for gang crimes

B. holistic support services to the youth and family

C. after-school activities

D. the removal of opportunity for gang membership

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Other Micro-Level Gang TheoriesDifficulty Level: Medium

8. ______ was originally developed to explain gang involvement among Mexican-Americans.

A. Developmental pathways theory

B. Interactional theory

C. Multiple marginality theory

D. The social development model

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Easy

9. Which of the following reflects a way in which the social development model (SDM) is unique?

A. It argues that antisocial behavior may occur in the absence of social controls.

B. It accounts for protective factors that may reduce gang membership.

C. The model does not account for peer interactions.

D. The developmental pathways of youth gang membership theory serves as its foundation.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Medium

10. According to findings from Esbensen and colleagues (1999), which of the following was the least important reason that youth reported for joining a gang?

A. because a friend was in a gang

B. for safety

C. for fun

D. for money

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: An Illustration of the Life-Course Model of Gang InvolvementDifficulty Level: Medium

11. Esbensen and colleagues (1999) found ______ to be the most important factor in determining whether or not youth joined a gang.

A. respect

B. protection

C. money

D. fun

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: An Illustration of the Life-Course Model of Gang InvolvementDifficulty Level: Easy

12. According to the text, which of the following is NOT an attraction for joining a gang?

A. protection

B. romantic interests

C. social support

D. professional development

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: An Illustration of the Life-Course Model of Gang InvolvementDifficulty Level: Medium

13. Howell and Egley (2005) found that risk factors for gang membership ranged across ______ risk factor domains.

A. one

B. two

C. three

D. five

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Law Enforcement Surveillance of Gangs on Social MediaDifficulty Level: Easy

14. ______ studies are ideal for assessing the pathways to and consequences of gang involvement.

A. Cross-sectional

B. Longitudinal

C. Focus group

D. Ethnographic

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Hard

15. In Thornberry and colleagues’ developmental model of delinquency and gang involvement, delinquency is first expected during what stage?

A. preschool

B. school entry

C. later childhood

D. early adolescence

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Medium

16. The developmental theoretical model proposed in this chapter asserts that, for some individuals, a risk factor can present itself as early as ______.

A. prior to birth

B. early childhood

C. during preschool

D. elementary school

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Medium

17. Loeber and Farrington (2001)’s research finds that ______ of child delinquents become serious, chronic, and violent offenders.

A. less than 10%

B. less than half

C. more than half

D. nearly 100%

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Hard

18. Research on the school entry stage of the developmental theoretical model implies that which of the following influences exerts the most significant impact on subsequent delinquency?

A. peers

B. school officials

C. parents

D. older siblings

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Hard

19. Which term best influences the likelihood and/or speed at which an individual may choose to leave his/her gang?

A. multiple marginality

B. developmental pathways

C. gang embeddedness

D. cyberbanging

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Desistance From Gang MembershipDifficulty Level: Medium

Multiple Response

1. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following are delinquency pathways identified by Loeber and colleagues (1997, 1999)?

A. developmental pathway

B. authority-conflict pathway

C. peer-conflict pathway

D. covert pathway

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Easy

2. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following is true of youths’ criminal behavior and gang membership?

A. Despite prior delinquent activity, youth are likely to become more actively involved in delinquent activity while involved with a gang.

B. Youth are unlikely to engage in delinquency while actively involved with a gang.

C. Youth exhibit elevated levels of delinquency during times of active involvement with a gang.

D. Youth involved with a gang are likely to commit their first offenses only after joining the group.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Gang Joining ProcessDifficulty Level: Medium

3. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. According to research studies, which of the following has NOT been found to be associated with gang involvement?

A. Gang members are more likely to engage in multiple crimes at the same time.

B. Gang members have worse educational outcomes than non-gang members.

C. Gang members are less likely than non-gang members to suffer from mental health issues.

D. Gang members achieve greater long-term economic success than non-gang members from similarly disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Location of Gang Membership in Developmental PathwaysDifficulty Level: Medium

4. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following school-related variables have been associated with gang involvement?

A. low attachment to school

B. lack of sports involvement

C. low achievement in elementary school

D. having a learning disability

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Medium

5. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following is NOT true of the developmental gang theory?

A. Preschool experiences are insignificant to future gang membership.

B. Aggression and disruptive behaviors increase the likelihood of future delinquency.

C. Family risk factors interact with childhood delinquency to affect future gang membership.

D. Risk factors for delinquency vary with an individual’s age.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Hard

6. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which subset(s) of gang members is/are most likely to experience higher than average rates of mental health problems?

A. Those who have been victimized.

B. Those who are relatively older.

C. Those who have dropped out of school.

D. Those who have fewer friends in their gang.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. The age–crime curve that explains onset of and desistance from criminal behavior does not apply to gang activity.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Location of Gang Membership in Developmental PathwaysDifficulty Level: Medium

2. Several longitudinal studies reveal no association between gang involvement and escalation of delinquency.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Location of Gang Membership in Developmental PathwaysDifficulty Level: Medium

3. In Loeber and colleagues’ (2010) pathways model, all youth starting in the authority-conflict pathway will subsequently enter the covert pathway.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Hard

4. Each pathway in Loeber and colleagues’ (2010) pathways model contains multiple stages of delinquency and/or criminal behavior.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Hard

5. Developmental theories are unique for their attention to group processes and group offending.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: IntroductionDifficulty Level: Medium

6. Peterson and Panfil (2017)’s foundation for a developmental theory of female gang membership highlights the need for understanding of females’ gendered experiences of gang involvement as distinct from males’.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Hard

7. Contemporary research has confirmed Thrasher’s (1927) assertions that joining gangs is a natural process.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: An Illustration of the Life-Course Model of Gang InvolvementDifficulty Level: Easy

8. One possible motivation for a youth to join a gang is for instrumental purposes.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: An Illustration of the Life-Course Model of Gang InvolvementDifficulty Level: Medium

9. “Cyberbanging” refers to gang members’ use of the Internet as a venue for gang-related activity.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: “The Digital Street”: Gangs on Social MediaDifficulty Level: Medium

10. Some characteristics of modern-day schools, including zero-tolerance policies, may increase gang activity in schools by eroding student–teacher bonds.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Gang Joining ProcessDifficulty Level: Medium

11. Gang members have a relatively low risk of victimization.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Long-Term Impact of Gang Membership on ParticipantsDifficulty Level: Medium

Short Answer

1. What is “cyberbanging”? Select and explain one of the five purposes Patton and his colleagues (2013) proposed for its increased use.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: “The Digital Street”: Gangs on Social MediaDifficulty Level: Medium

2. What is the key distinction between Loeber and colleagues’ developmental delinquency pathway model and Howell and Egley’s developmental gang membership theory?

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Introduction | A Broad Developmental Gang TheoryDifficulty Level: Hard

Essay

1. How are macro-level and micro-level theories of delinquency and gang development linked? Be sure to provide examples of at least two theories that link the two levels of theorizing, and implications for empirical testing.

Learning Objective: N/A

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Developmental TheoriesDifficulty Level: Hard