Corner Boy by Whytes

William Foote Whyte

Corner Boys

Whyte's hypothesis was to study the bases of group cohesion, and of the subordination, super ordination of its members; and to work out and determining the position of corner gangs in the social structure of the community.

On one of his research methods he observes that when the leader originates action for the group, he does not act as if his followers were all of equal rank. He uses the "Millers" as examples of this observation. Where one leads convinces two main people in the group and the rest follow.

Other examples of the Millers explain what happens when the leader and man next to him disagree upon group decision. They end up doing what the leader wants because it's what is best for the group, and not for the individual. The leader always wants to remain on top he would never let the man next to him make big decisions.

The corner boys are men who have had little education beyond grammar school and who were unemployed, irregularly employed, or working steadily for small wages. Their names arise from the nature of their social life. These groups of guys who consider their self equal to "the corner" a street intersection. To them s a part of the sidewalk where they take their social headquarter and practically all their activity. The clique structure arises out of the habitual association of the members over a long period of time. The gangs grew up on the corner even though most have broken apart by the movement of families away from their corner.

What I think Whyte means by "leader ship is a product of social interaction" is all about people looking up to this one leader. They depend on his beliefs, respected for his fair mind ness and his social mobility is greater. A leader is respected more by the outside people more then members in his group, it's all about popularity.