Samenvatting

This article deals with group dynamic processes. In particular it deals with behavioral adaptation. A theory will be presented about the group dynamic processes in which behavioral adaptation takes place. This theory will be used to analyze the delinquent behavior of a group of students. At the end of the article the group dynamic processes of the students will be contrasted with those of a group that seems to be very different, namely a group of ‘Moroccan’ street boys from Amsterdam. Differences become most visible in the reaction of the social environment towards the group behavior and the response of the group itself to this reaction. ‘Moroccan’ street boys respond to the negative reaction of the society with secondary deviance. They are caught up in a vicious circle of group dynamics from which the students manage to escape.