Gang Violence in Chicago

1) “Gang Violence in Chicago/ Psychology” is the topic/discipline, I have chosen.

a) The initial step in understanding the discipline of Psychology would be to obtain a formalized definition of this particular branch of scientific study. Defining the study of Psychology would provide formalized focus for research into the field. The Methods/avenues of research I would employ include the internet, review of professional and academic journals and interviewing a psychologist to gain firsthand perception of the field. A personal interview could prove invaluable in establishing the psychologist’s perspective of the pathology of violence and gang mentality.

b) The focus of a psychologist’s study would be to identify the physical, social, mental and emotional issues within the environment that affect human psyche through a predisposition towards violence. This study would involve evaluation of personal life experiences of gang members, to identify the presence of common stressors and factors. Further investigation would be conducted to establish an understanding of how these factors initiate violence within the psyche.

The question would be “What effects do the biological, social, emotional, and environmental factors of living in the urban environment of Chicago, have on the human psyche, influencing it towards gang violence?”

c) Psychology’s contribution to the assessment would be a better comprehension of the etiology of violence as it relates to living in the urban setting of Chicago. The discipline of Psychology could isolate and define the factors that serve as precursors to violent behavior within the urban setting. In the study of “gang” or herd mentality, as it relates to gang violence, research efforts might involve...

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...amily members have area rugs; don’t clearly delineate changes in the grading of floors, and lack bathing/toileting facilities that accommodate for easy access. Often modifications have to be made by family to the organization of living space and their health behaviors.

Health behaviors of the family directly impact the continued wellbeing of the patient. The exposure to secondhand smoke and smoking in the presence of medical oxygen are the most frequent environmental concerns on discharge. Impacting the culture of an entire family, during one brief hospital stay is difficult. Reliance on community resources is essential to continued well-being for our patients. Equally important is the accessibility of those resources. Often, patients have limited access to resources due to mobility or transportation issues unless family members take an active role in the process.