Citation

Breen GM, Matusitz J. J. Appl. Secur. Res. 2009; 4(1): 109.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19361610802210285

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, gang prevalence, the number of gang members nationwide, and the seriousness of their impact on society, particularly schools, have increased significantly. The purpose of this article is to analyze Inoculation Theory, a process by which attitude transformation can be resisted during social interactions that involve persuasive messages designed to change existing attitudes, and to promote its application as a solid method for preventing youths from joining gangs in and nearby schools. This analysis is original and unique in that Inoculation Theory has not yet been applied in the reduction of violence and crime in youths.

Keywords: Crime; gang; Inoculation Theory; persuasion; school; violence; youth