CJ340 5-1 Journal
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
340
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by coreykathryn95
Kathryn Corey
CJ-340
5-1 Journal: Culture and behavior
There are many connections between criminal behavior and culture, the most obvious being
identity formation. The choice to join a gang is the ultimate expression of the need for
recognition of one's uniqueness. One of the main motivators for making this decision is the
desire to belong to a group of people who have similar beliefs and ways of acting.
People from different cultures have different ideas about what is appropriate when it comes to
food, attire, language, religion, and morals. These cultural distinctions have a significant effect
on people. People's cultural backgrounds have an impact on their decisions and actions.
Comprehending the motivations underlying people's actions is complex, especially when
considering cultural context. Identity and criminal activity are frequently strongly related. For
example, a person's birthplace, family customs, and cultural practices can all have a significant
impact on their perspective. Joining a gang can provide a framework and a way of making a
distinction for those who are trying to find their identity or who are unsure of who they are
(Mitchell et al., 2017).
The way that Italian culture is portrayed has changed significantly since the Mafia first
appeared in Southern Italy. The region's poor economic circumstances were a major factor in the
Mafia's early beginnings and acted as a major impetus for its formation. People who were poor
or easily seduced into Mafia membership frequently did so since, for some, it was their only
viable career path. There were allegations that to become a "made man" in the Mafia, a potential
member had to be of Italian descent and have committed a brutal murder (Dickie, 2004).
On the other hand, there was never any uncertainty among family members about their
ultimate participation in the family "business." The Sicilian mafias, who supervised local justice
and accumulated power in the 1800s, provided a template for other mafia organizations. The
original Mafia organization, the Cosa Nostra, soon expanded to become the Italian "Mob" in the
US. This criminal syndicate, often known as the Mob, was a constant source of dread for the
public and police authorities since it regularly got into fights with other organizations. They had
a bad reputation for robbing places in Chicago and New York, among other places. Gang
mentalities are similar in that they place a strong emphasis on identification, cultural inclusivity,
and a sense of community (Dickie, 2004).
Cultural groups of all kinds can be found in about every large city. In New York City, for
example, Little Italy, China Town, Korea Town, and Little Odessa (Russian) are examples of
communities where immigrants and Americans of Chinese, Italian, Korean, and Russian descent
reside. Another way that subcultures exist in communities is through gangs. In each of the
previously stated "subcultures," there are cultural factions made up of people and groups that,
feeling cut off from society at large, turn to gangs for protection and survival (Mitchell et al.,
2017). One such group is the "Dead Rabbits," an Irish immigrant gang who rose to prominence
in 1850s New York City, demonstrating proficiency in physical warfare, robbery, and
pickpocketing (Watson, 2015). As they competed for control of territory, the Irish Mob, and the
Italian Mafia—both of which were new to America at the time—sought to make an impression
by bringing with them unique sets of values and behaviors (Dickie, 2004).
People are eager to commit crimes in order to feel like they belong in the criminal
environment, which makes identity a compelling example of the relationship between culture
and criminal behavior.
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References:
Dickie, J. (2004). Cosa Nostra: A History of the Sicilian Mafia.
Mitchell, M. M., Fahmy, C., Pirooz, D. C., & Decker, S. H. (2017). Criminal Crews, Codes, and
Contexts: Differences and Similarities across the Code of the Street, Convict Code, Street Gangs,
and Prison Gangs. Deviant Behavior, 38(10), 1197-1222.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1246028
Watson, W. (2015). Dead Rabbits Gang (1850s).