Black Ghetto Residents as Rioters

Los Angeles riot participants, both actual & "psychol'al," were compared with nonparticipants to see if participation could be predicted, using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis & a second form of linear regression analysis (Wood's algorithm). Data were from 586 interviews of black residents, representing a random sample of the riot curfew area. Neither active nor psychol'al riot participation could be predicted when age & sex were not controlled, but signif prediction was possible when the pop was divided into 4 groups by age & sex. The usefulness of the regression in characterizing rioters vs nonrioters is limited because a large number of independent variables is needed. Results support the theory that rioting is a community phenomenon. The overriding implication of this theoretical aspect is that it may be far better to spend time trying to prevent riots by alleviating ghetto conditions throughout the country, rather than trying to predict who rioters will be. Modified HA.