Merton also incorporated Durkheim's observations of the difference between intrinsic motivation for work and economic profit and purely superficial extrinsic motivation for the tangible trappings of success and/or social status. Since post-Industrial Revolution social values tended to focus so much more on acquisition and less on contributing to society through work, individuals experiencing psychosocial strains from the lack of available opportunities for legitimate work often sought to acquire the same outward social status through deviant and criminal means (Schmalleger, 2008).
The documentary traced the evolution of organized neighborhood protection and political rights organizations in vast criminal enterprises after the discovery of the economic profit potential associated with selling illicit narcotics. In Los Angeles, a parasitic relationship developed wherein the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) extracted protection money from the gangs while simultaneously increasing their official budget to upgrade their facilities and equipment on the basis of the increasing firepower and sophistication of the gangs.
Social Learning, Conflict Theory, and Labeling Theory:
The documentary provides classic examples of social learning, conflict, and labeling theories. Interviews with adolescent gang members and even pre-adolescent prospective gang members illustrates the manner in which individuals exposed to deviant social values and role models come to identify with them. The interview with the protagonist identifies the trend...
This dynamic was substantially responsible for the original evolution of organized gangs in the black Los Angeles community that eventually fragmented and gave rise to the modern criminal gangs covered in the documentary.
Finally, evidence of classic labeling theory is found in the different way that the LAPD authorities under the leadership of Parker dealt with juvenile delinquency in the black community and in the white community. The LAPD defined the former as hard-core crime and treated the offenders consistent with that perception. Meanwhile, the LAPD addressed the identical crimes in the white community as correctable mistakes of "misguided youth."
References
Gerrig, R., Zimbardo, R. (2005). Psychology and Life/. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Henslin, J. (2002). Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Macionis, J.J. (2003). Sociology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Schmalleger, F. (2007). Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st
Century. Hoboken, NJ: Prentice Hall
