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