CULTURAL EFFICACY: A Native American Indian Criminological Paradigm

CULTURAL EFFICACY is the culmination of 40 years of scientific research within Indian Country. The criminological theory proposed is based upon the combined forces of (1) an internalized American Indian ethnic identity and (2) internalized Native cultural values that work in conjunction to (a) restrain one from social or cultural deviance, while also (b) motivating one to respond to social or cultural deviance when such is observed within the community. Psychological mechanisms embedded within this theory are the necessary elements to (i) enhance cultural group survival and (ii) resilience in the face of cultural attacks and degradation by non-Native forces. This theoretical perspective may be applicable to other ethnic groups beyond Native American Indians. CULTURAL EFFICACY is a response and an alternative to collective efficacy, both distinctive interdisciplinary theoretical explanations for community-level behavior. Read more