NCJ Number
5879
Date Published
1972
Length
31 pages
Annotation
ROLE THEORY IS USED TO ANALYZE THE NETWORKS OF RELATIONSHIPS EXISTING WITHIN AN OBSERVED NEW YORK MAFIA FAMILY.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THERE IS A LEGITIMATED SYSTEM OF ROLE-PRESCRIBED RELATIONSHIPS WHICH ESTABLISHES POWER IN A HIERARCHY OF AUTHORITY. THUS THE AUTHORITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS LARGELY INHERENT IN THE ROLE ITSELF. THERE IS ALSO A NETWORK OF ALLIANCES BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S CAPACITY TO EXERT INFLUENCE. POWER, IN THIS CONTEXT, IS AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE INDIVIDUAL. THE AUTHOR DEFINES RESPECT AS THE HEIRARCHICAL ORDERING OF ESTEEM IN WHICH A PERSON IS HELD BY OTHERS. THE NETWORKS WITHIN THE FAMILY WHICH ARE BASED ON THE THREE CRITERIA OF AUTHORITY POWER AND RESPECT ARE DESCRIBED TO SHOW THAT CONFLICT ARISES WHEN THE THREE DO NOT COINCIDE AND A HIGH DEGREE OF STABILITY AND COHESION RESULTS WHEN THEY DO. AUTHOR MODIFIED ABSTRACT