Gang Violence

Running Head : GANG VIOLENCE AND HUMAN MOTIVATION

An Intervention Program for Former Gang Members

Learning Self-efficacy , Optimism and Intrinsic Motivation

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August 2007

Introduction

Human motivation is what drives and propels man to certain actions and behaviors . There are so many why in our daily life and our world , for example , why do we wake up each morning and go to work , why we listen to our professors , why we help others , why we love and a lot more . It is inevitable that the study of

human behavior entails the study of human motivation , for without it man only exists but does not live . The study of human motivation has led to a number of theories and concepts and it has been applied in almost every aspect of human interaction and life (Beck , 2000 . It is thus necessary that any program which concerns itself with behavioral change must first take into account human motivation . This presents a program of intervention that seeks to help former members of gangs to resume their normal lives after the gangs . The planned change is directed towards adolescents who may have joined gangs for a variety of reasons but have fallen out from gang membership as a personal choice . It is important to note that adolescents who became gang members at an early age have had not developed their moral compass and might have believed that the gang 's violent behavior and criminality are the only way of expressing anger and or in relating with other people (Egley Arjunan , 2002 . The program therefore integrates the concept of motivation since the best way to help people change is that when they are motivated and commit themselves to that change (Beck , 2000 . The background of the problem and of the details of the program is discussed in the following , background target group , program rationale , mechanics and activities and evaluation

Background

Gang violence has been a problem issue for a long time and many lives has been taken by it and each time the authorities seem to be lost and have not resolved the issues adequately . The very nature of gangs is opposite of the norms and mores held by the society . Gangs often have their own codes of conduct that violates those believed to be what is good and fair for all . Gangs also promote strict adherence to their rules wherein the gang becomes the family and the member is assured of being treated as part of that family , where protection , subsistence power and wealth is given (Egley Arjunan , 2002 . Thus , from these conditions alone , gangs can be defined as a radical group that modifies behavior and reprograms the thinking patterns , values and morals of the child . However , adolescents who have been recruited into gangs at an early have a higher rate of falling out from the gang due to several factors such as getting caught and sent to juvenile prison , experiencing a traumatic event or a personal realization of wanting to...