“Half In, Half Out:” Gang Families, Gang Affiliation, and Gang Misconduct

Recently developed inmate behavior frameworks have expanded the discussion from deprivation/importation models to a life-course perspective. DeLisi and associates (International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 55;1186–1207, 2011) presented the life-course importation model of inmate behavior based on a sample of state incarcerated offenders; however, their analyses were unable to distinguish indirect and direct effects of delinquent career and distal family background factors. The current study builds on the life-course importation model of inmate behavior by using path analysis to understand the direct and indirect effects of distal pre-incarceration indictors on gang-related inmate misconduct for 2,520 incarcerated youthful offenders. The findings lend support to the life-course importation model as the familial gang indicator was associated directly with individual gang affiliation, gang affiliation was associated directly with gang-related misconduct, and familial gang associations was associated indirectly with gang-related misconduct.     

Measuring interrogative suggestibility in children: Reliability and validity of the bonn test of statement suggestibility

Abstract

The present paper describes three studies that examined false confessions in the laboratory. Studies 1 (N=56) and 2 (N=9) relied on the by now classic computer crash paradigm introduced by Kassin and Kiechel (Psychological Science, 7, 125–128, 1996). Study 3 (N=12) employed a novel paradigm in which undergraduate participants were falsely accused of exam fraud. Our data indicate that false confessions do occur, even when conditions become more ecologically valid. Furthermore, we explored whether individual differences in compliance, suggestibility, fantasy proneness, dissociation, and cognitive failures are related to false confessions. Of these, only fantasy proneness was associated with false confessions.     

Book reviews

Ackerman B &; A Alstott, The Stakeholder Society. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1999. 296pp. ISBN: 0–300–07826. US$26.00. http://www.yale.edu/yup

Adedeji A (ed.), Comprehending and Mastering African Conflicts: The Search for Sustainable Peace and Good Governance. London: Zed Books, in association with the African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies, Ijebu‐Ode, 1999. 377pp. ISBN: 1–85649–763–1. US$27:50. http://www.zedbooks.demon.co.uk

Berkovitch N, From Motherhood to Citizenship: Women's Rights and International Organisations. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. 207pp. ISBN: 0–8018–6028–8. US$34.95. http://www.press.jhu.edu/ press/index.html

Bourgia R &; SG Miller (eds), In the Shadow of the Sultan: Culture, Power and Politics in Morocco. Massachussets: Harvard University Press, 1999. 310pp. ISBN 0–932885–20–9. £12.50. http://www.hup.harvard.edu

Cohen R &; Westbrook R (eds.), Armana Diplomacy . Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2000. 307pp. ISBN: 0–8018–6199–3. US$57.00. http://www.press.jhu.edu

Cullather N, Secret History: The CIA's Classified Account of its Operations in Guatemala. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999. 142pp. ISBN: 0–8047–3311–2. US$39.50. http://www.sup.org

De Cerreno ALC &; A Keynan, Scientific Co‐operation, State Conflict: The Roles of Scientists in Mitigating International Discord. Edited conference papers published as Volume 866 of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. New York, 1999, 281 pp, ISBN: 1 57331 203 7, US$27,00. Http://www.press.jhu.edu

Donoso BP, Across the Footsteps of Africa: The Experiences of an Ecuadorian Doctor in Malawi and Mozambique. Trenton: Africa World Press, 1999, 242pp. ISBN: 0–86543–640–1. US$19.95. http.//www.africanword.com

Drèze J, The Economics of Famine, An Elgar Reference Collection, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 1999. pp. 524. ISBN: 1–85898–689–3. £130. http://www.e‐elgar.co.uk

Emmett T, ‘A study of the development of a movement of national liberation in Namibia, between 1915 and 1966’, in Popular Resistance and the Roots of Nationalism in Namibia, 1915–1966. Basel, Switzerland: P Schlettwein Publishing, 1999. 420pp. ISBN: 3–908193–03–6. Swiss F55. http://www.baslerafrika.ch/bns.htm

Gaubatz K T, Elections and War: The Electoral Incentive in the Democratic Politics of War and Peace. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1999. 208pp. ISBN: 08047–3566–2. US$45.00. http://www.sup.org

Hawken P, Lovins AB &; LH Lovins, Natural Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd, 1999. 396pp. ISBN: 1–85383–461–0. £18.99. http://www.earthscan.co.uk

Herbst J, States and Power in Africa: Comparative Lessons in Authority and Control. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000, 280pp. ISBN: 069–10–10285. US$17.95. http://www.pupress.princeton.edu

Jett DC, Why Peacekeeping Fails. New York: St Martin's Press, 2000, 236pp. ISBN: 031–22269–85. US$49.95. http://www.stmartins.com

Hodgson G, Evolution and Institutions: On Evolutionary Economics and the Evolutions of Economics . Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 1999. 345pp. ISBN: 1–85898–813–6. £55.00. http://www.e‐elgar.co.uk

Guha S, Environment and Ethnicity in India: 1200–1991. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 217pp. ISBN: 0–521–64078–4. £35.00. http://www.cup.cam.ac.uk

Iheduru OM, The Politics of Economic Restructuring and Democracy in Africa. London: Greenwood Press,1999. 169 pp. ISBN: 0–313–30833–0. £37.50. http://www.greenwood.com

Jain PC, Indians in South Africa: Political Economy of Race Relations. Delhi: Kalinga Publications, 1999. 175 pp. ISBN: 81–85163–102‐X. US$80.00.

Kathadra A, Letters from Robben Island: A Selection of his Prison Correspondence, 1964–1989. Bellville and East Lansing: Mayibuye Books and Michigan State University Press, 1999. 263pp. ISBN: 087–01352–79 R120.00. http://www.msu.edu/unit/msupress/index.htm

Middleton N &; D Thomas (eds), World Atlas of Desertification. United Nations Environment Programme, 2^nd edition. London: Arnold, 1997.182pp. ISBN: 0–340–69166–2. http://www.unep.org     

Assessing the reset: successes and failures in the Obama administration's Russia policy, 2009–2012

Critics of the Obama administration's ‘reset’ with Russia claim that it has failed to improve bilateral relations and has conceded too much to Russia at the expense of American interests. In fact, the reset has delivered significant improvements in key areas and established the institutional basis for continued cooperation in the future, benefiting both states. Although disagreements remain on several important issues including missile defence, humanitarian intervention, and democracy, the reset has been broadly successful on its own terms, which were always limited in scope and based on a pragmatic recognition of the limits of possible cooperation. Future progress is uncertain, however – obstacles include differences of national interest; the complicating effects of relations with third party states and the impact of domestic politics. A continuation of the pragmatic approach underpinning the reset represents the best chance for stability in the US–Russia relationship.     

The Spatial Distribution of Postblast RDX Residue: Forensic Implications

Locating exactly where trace explosive residue samples should be sought during sample collection at bomb scenes is not specified in the published literature or guidelines; in this area, it is generally acknowledged that forensic practices are based on tradition rather than evidence. This study investigated patterns in the spatial distribution of postblast 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazocyclohexane residue from a series of unconfined detonations, over a range of sampling sites, and at two different detonation heights. The amount of residue recovered from the sites decreased as a function of distance from the center of the explosion. [Correction added after online publication 27 December 2012: In the preceding sentence, “increased” was corrected to “decreased” to agree with the conclusion of the article.] As the height of the detonations increased, more residues were found from all sampling sites. The findings of this empirical study have a number of important practical implications including determining where residue samples are best sought at crime scenes.     

Is Liberalism Now an Essentially Contested Concept?*

In contemporary English-language political theory, conversations between liberals and their critics have been largely superseded by arguments among those placing themselves under the liberal umbrella. As the debate among those calling themselves liberals has widened, so the meaning of liberalism and construction of the liberal tradition have become increasingly contested. It is therefore appropriate to consider whether liberalism is now an essentially contested concept. Gallie's original argument about essentially contested concepts is reconstructed and evaluated and a number of contemporary approaches to liberalism are considered in its light. The significance of the passage of time is examined, and some of the theoretical and practical changes that might have contributed to liberalism becoming essentially contested are outlined. The consequences for critical thinking and fundamental criticisms of society and polity are raised, and it is suggested that liberalism provides normative resources for a society to continuously question, and potentially remake, itself.     

The intifada: Palestinian adaptation to Israeli counterinsurgency tactics

In December 1987 the uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip significantly changed the nature of the Palestinian threat to Israel and pushed the West Bank and Gaza Palestinians into the forefront of the Palestinian‐Israeli conflict. This article examines the effects of the Israeli counterinsurgency tactics on the Palestinian strategy from the period of 1967 through 1987. It proposes that the implementation of Israel's counterinsurgency policy since 1967 was a crucial factor in creating the conditions for revolution and influencing the Palestinians’ adaptation of their tactics, culminating in the intifada.