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This site was developed by Dr. Janet Hethorn, a researcher from the Department of Environmental Design at the University of California Davis. Select one of the visual factors that denote gang identity. How might the adoption of gang symbols affect an individual's behaviour? In what other types of organizations might we see similar effects of deindividuation? Discuss a recent high-profile incident involving Canadians that illustrates this phenomenon.
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THis is a weird topic. It seems that having a gang symbol is "cool". It it like a sorority, where there are symobols the group members wear to show they are part of that group. By joining these gangs, or groups a person has a feeling of fitting in, and they gain "friends" fromt he experience. I think if an individual gains a symbol from a gang it makes them not only feel like they fit in but also that they should behave the same as the gang, so that they can fit in and not lose their name in that gang.

There are gangs in Edmonton and I'm sure in other parts of the country where they have a certain tattoo that they get. Tattoo artists will not tatto this symbol on anyone that is not a gang member, because it is known that if you have one and are not a part of the group they will burn it off and hurt the tattoo artist.

Not only in gangs is there this type of symbol meaning, also in frats and sororities. Also to a degree there is the symbols for universities and colleges, not to the degree because anyone can wear this symbol, and it doesn't necessarily deindividualize a person. You see symbols for almost every group, club gang there is whether it be a tattoo, a greek symbol, and animal or a new creative, drawing.

Hi Jen!

By identifying with a group, is one de-emphasizing his/her individuality? My reading of the use of signs and symbols makes individual versus group identity seem like a continuum - such that if you are an individual, you can't be in a group and if you are in a group, your not an individual.

Interesting that you brought up campus "gangs." I've never been in a sorority but I was at one campus and all the girls in one sorority dressed and acted so much a like that they seemed interchangeable to me!

Connie

I don't think that someone is de-emphasizing his individuality, and I think it is okay to be part of groups. But when looking at the street gangs, it is very clear that there is a "leader" who calls all the shots and that the individuals in the group may not have that much say in what happens. In this way, part of the individuality is taken away.

Hi! I've never met anyone who has been in a gang but from what I've seen in various places, I would conclude that If someone in a gang was to get a tattoo, It does not necessarily mean that he or she is just like the others or has no individuality, it is just a symbol of belonging to a "family". People in families aren't all the same nor do they always hold the same views. Maybe since gang members don't share blood, they try to connect themselves by placing a permanent object on their bodies as a symbol of their connection.

An example of this that I've seen in other groups is highschool sports teams. When my highschool won the basketball championships, they all shaved their heads. It's interesting that frats have their own identifying symbols and how some of them display them very boldly on the front of their houses to distinguish who they are.

A recent and local example of this that comes to mind is the cancer drive that happened in Edmonton not so long ago. Many people including, Mark Scholtz of the "A-Channel" shaved their heads to show their support and raise funds for cancer research. All of the people who shaved their heads were showing a type of connection that they had about pertaining to caring for a cause.

I never really thought about that how an individual is simply part of a "family", this makes sense for things like sororities, and other sorts of groups say like the legion or something.
This maybe could be true to with gangs, but I believe that a gang is more than that, I feel that the older gang members will/may take advantage of a younger person who maybe at a vaulnerable stage in their life and use that to have this "child" perform their dirty deeds. I guess the reason I say this is I've had personal experience with this in my family and it is tough to break that bond, when you know that is not really what should be happening. Of course I have to add that this is not necessarily the style of all gangs.

Who does summary? I think it's mike. Maybe email me jlburton78@hotmail.com

I aggree that there is probably a lot of abuse that happens between gang members and a younger or newer member is a ripe target for mistreatment. This shows that whoever is inflicting the abuse is probably trying to gain respect and authority through making someone else look smaller in order to make senior members look more powerful. As a result, the target of abuse usually complies in order to fit in with the aspiration of one day being a more powerful member. The new member (according to the social impact theory) would change his/her beliefs, cognitions and feelings in order to be congruent with the group. He/she would start to conform to the group and probably temporarily loose most indications of individuality and autonomy. However, people cannot suppress their true personality forever and as comfort in the group increased, that individual's true values and beliefs would surface at a time when the group is more likely to be accepting of him/her.
This is a broad statement that may not apply to everyone but seems to be a reoccuring pattern in society.

I agree that symbols are really important in determining group identity. Motorcycle gangs have been using 'colours' for a really long time, and the resulting gang wars can be really violent. In Quebec there are really fierce wars between the Hell's Angels and other gangs. If you belong to a gang you wear the colours and are required to behave in a certain manner to preserve the image of the gang. A gang member may not agree with the gang's policy, but is still expected to act in accordance with the 'rules'. If they go against the rules, punishment can be severe. An individuals ideals are comprimised in these situations. Because of the gang and the identity the symbols give the individuals, they are now forced to act like the gang expects, and not as the individual wants.

I also want to point out that teams also have a similiar gang mentality. When I was playing hockey, there were many pressures to conform to the team leader's ideas and behavior in order to fit in. Teams also have their own colours and jackets and other symbols (like a logo or crest) that is important to them. These are also a source of pride, and if anyone insults that pride it could lead to confrontation. I think that that is one of the reasons for gang violence - injured pride.

I agree with the concept of a 'family'. I think that many groups also make use of some kind of initiation techniques. The 'rookies' are usually subjected to some type of suffering, and until the suffering is complete, the person is not a full member of the family. I remember that even in the Military (I think American) the rookies were subjected to having their pins suck in their chest and then each full member would punch the pin. I'm not really sure why these rituals take place. Any ideas?

By my count, it is my turn to summarize. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Yes, it's your turn mike

I agree that there is conformity within groups and within gang member to withhold an "image" and that punishments are severe.

It's called hazing, (the military thing), and it happens when students enter grade 10 and when you join a frat. (in the US) and many other places such as teams and some groups. I think that some of these rituals take place because they are rituals and because they are part of a "tradition" for certain, teams, gangs and groups. There have been deaths due to hazing in the US and it is very inhuman and unethical, and as it does not happen to such an extent in Canada it happens. THere are laws against this sort of thing now, and certain states in the US are passing them, I believe most states have considered it against the law when it happens in frats and such. As for gangs such as the Hells Angel's I don't know, because as far as I know they are basically "untouchable".

Hi guys!

Wow, great discussion. Is it the topic or our discussion in class? Whatever, I like the insights you guys have!

Remember that you guys can make a couple of passes at the summary since it isn't due until Weds.

Connie

Mike - I have the wrong e-mail address for you. Could I get your real one?
Jo-Ann

Sure My E-Mail is Michaelk@Ualberta.ca

I was reading something another group wrote and I thought it was interesting, they brought up how, a group member wearing a certain symbol will react differently to someone who is wearing the same symbol, or a different one. I think is true. If two members of the Hells Angels meet and they don't even know each other they are more likely to sit down and have a few, rather than if one was Hell's Angel's and the other was from a different group. There's a good thought eh :)

It's interesting that people in groups would rather converse with other people in the same group even if they don't know eachother as opposed to someone who is not affiliated. I guess the "symbols" or "signals" that group members possess are enough for the members to decide that they have enough in common with that individual to warrent socializing with them.

One thing I found particularily interesting and somewhat humerous about the site that didn't pertain to the questions above is how you know when a fashion such as wallet chains has run it's course when it is advertised in a discount store add or is sported by toddlers. I work with young kids and you wouldn't believe how many of them have wallet chains. I certainly wouldn't peg them as gang members!

It's almost like some of the fashions are passed down, like when the older "kids" are done with it, it's passed to junior high or even elementary sometimes. It's funny how fashion runs a cycle. Look how bell bottoms and "hippie" clothes are supposidly back in "style".

Summary

As shown in our discussion, symbols are used to unify a gang or group of people. People join these gangs in order to fit in and gain new friends, and symbols make their acceptance into the group easier. Tattoos are a common symbol for gang members. They are a symbol for belonging to a "family", and since the members may not be blood related, the tattoos create a permanent connection within the gang. Almost every group, gang, team, fraternity, and club uses either letters, crests, logos or colours to show their identity. This, however, can lead to a lack of individuality within the gang. According to the Social Impact Theory, the individual would change their beliefs and conform to the gang for quicker acceptance. Only after that individual is completely accepted can they state any differences of opinion. Any difference of opinion would have to be stated carefully. Going against the groups rules, usually created by the leader, could be punishable, which also causes a loss of individuality. The similarities within these groups can be so complete that the members are barely distinguishable from each other. One example that we discussed is how a team, after winning a championship might shave their heads. It was also mentioned that television celebrities had also shaved their heads for a charity. We also discussed the Hell's Angels and how they must act in a certain way to preserve their image.