Experts Available to Identify Psychological Factors of Why Adolescents Join Gangs and How to Discourage Them

Newswise — L.A. County – Epicenter of Gang-Violence - is No “West Side Story”

Alliant International University Experts Available for Interviews to Identify Psychological Factors of Why Adolescents Join Gangs and How to Discourage Them

In the 1950’s, “West Side Story” burst onto the Broadway musical scene to rave reviews. Set in New York City, this modern-day tale of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ sought to romanticize the cultural and territorial conflicts between a White gang (Jets) and a Puerto Rican gang (Sharks). Today, the harsh reality of growing gang violence, especially between African-Americans and Latinos in Los Angeles County, California, is anything but romantic.

Gang Capital of the USA
Considered by many as the “Gang Capital of the USA”, Los Angeles (LA) has over 700 gangs, according to a recent study:
• Black Gangs: There are close to 75 LA Blood and almost 200 LA Crip gangs in 21 cities in LA County.
• Latino Gangs: The 18th Street Gang is considered by some to be the largest gang in Los Angeles, while LA Surenos has about 500 Hispanc gangs from the Valley to East LA down to South LA.
• Asian Gangs: LA Asian is the fastest-growing of the street gangs, with about 20,000 members in the LA area. (Source: www.streetgangs.com.)

National Epicenter of Violent Gang Activities
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) City Attorney’s Office, gang-related violent crimes rose 14% in 2006 which included: 272 Homicides, 3,584 Felony assault/attempted homicides, 2,515 Robberies, and 816 Witness Intimidations.

Recently, racial tension and violence between African-American and Latino gangs has escalated. A possible factor may be that the Hispanic population is increasing exponentially while the African-American numbers are not resulting in heightened protection of territories. The lack of education (over 50% of gang members are high school dropouts), after-school programs, and job training all contribute to the growth of gangs and the enticement of recruits.

Because gang recruitment of adolescents continues to be of critical importance, Alliant International University is providing media interview opportunities from April 3-6, 2008 with leading experts on this topic.

WHO: Alliant International University’s Psychology Experts: Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden, PhD –Systemwide Director, I-MERIT (International-Multicultural Initiatives) and Professor, California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). Her specialties include: Multicultural and community psychology, Identity development, African American mental health, and Psychodynamic therapy with people of color. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Shorter-Gooden is a Consulting Editor for Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and for Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. A Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Shorter-Gooden was a “Master Lecturer” at the 2007 CPA Convention, and has appeared on The Today Show.

Dr. Eduardo Morales is a Professor of the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and a clinical and consulting psychologist who has been in the forefront of program development for Latinos, especially those targeting youth, HIV, substance abuse, community interventions, juvenile delinquency prevention, and other social justice issues faced by Latinos. Dr. Morales co-founded and was co-chair of the National Latino Coalition for Community Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Currently, he is a member of the Hispanic Stakeholders Group of CSAT, which was funded to start a National Latino Substance Abuse Resource Center for the United States. Dr. Morales has also been a member of the Prop 63 Workforce planning committee of the S.F. Department of Behavioral Health, and is currently the Director of Workforce Development at Alliant International University.

WHAT: During the California Psychology Association (CPA) Annual Convention, in Anaheim, California from April 3-6, 2008, Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden and Dr. Eduardo Morales are available to speak about the psychological factors that define the gang culture, including the role of racism and the heightened rivalry between Latino and African-American gangs. They can discuss gang members’ core values and how to turn these values into positives that can also discourage adolescent recruits - such as the three “R’s” – Reputation (a critical concern of gang bangers); Respect (often confused with fear and power), and Retaliation (no challenge goes unanswered). Drs. Shorter-Gooden and Morales will answer such questions as:

• What factors motivate adolescents and young adults to join gangs?
• What role does family, loyalty, love and structure play in the decision to join a gang?
• What do adolescents perceive as advantages to being a gang member?
• Why is a culture of fear and revenge cultivated to maintain both external fear and internal control of gang members?
• How can adolescents be taught to resist coercion to join a gang?
• How can a youth leave the gang culture if they were born into the gang “way of life”?

WHEN: Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden is available by phone for interviews by arrangement on Thursday, April 3rd and Dr. Eduardo Morales is available by phone from April 3-6, 2008 during the California Psychology Association (CPA) Annual Convention “Who We Are and Why It Matters” - The Many Faces of Psychology (April 3-6, 2008).

WHERE: Disneyland Hotel, 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, California, or over-the-phone by arrangement.

About Alliant International University
Founded in 2001, Alliant International University (www.alliant.edu) is a non-profit university that prepares students for professional careers in psychology, education, business and forensics. Alliant offers mentored field experiences and individual coaching that allows students to develop hands-on professional skills and practical experience with clients. An exceptionally diverse faculty and student body provides graduates to learn to work productively with colleagues and clients from different cultural and international backgrounds. U.S. News and World Report ranked Alliant #1 in international diversity among national doctoral universities. According to Diverse Magazine, Alliant awarded more doctorate degrees to minority students than any other U.S. university. With headquarters in San Francisco and San Diego, Alliant also has campuses in Fresno, Los Angeles, Irvine, Sacramento and locations; it also hosts accredited programs in Mexico City, Mexico; Hong Kong, China and Tokyo, Japan.

About California Psychological Association (CPA)
The California Psychological Association (CPA) (www.cpapsych.org) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association for licensed psychologists and others affiliated with the delivery of psychological services. CPA was founded in Los Angeles in 1948 initially to work for the licensure of psychologists. As the role of California psychologists expanded over the years, so did CPA. To more closely interact with the state legislature, CPA moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento in 1989, and has sponsored many legislative proposals that have resulted in greater access to mental health care services for the consumer and extended protection of the rights of psychologists to practice to the full extent allowed by law. In addition to the role of advocate for the profession of psychology, CPA's members regularly provide free public service through programs such as its Public Education Campaign and its well-respected disaster response service.