Forms vs. Types: A Theory of Cultural Conflict and Community Violence

Simmel's (1950) forms are contrasted to Durkheim‟s (1938) types to examine cultural offenses to understand conflict between two distinct cultural groups: American Indians and non- Indians. Data from the Southern Ute Indian Community Safety Survey, a U.S.D.O.J.- ponsored2 study of crime and violence, are used to understand cultural crimes in comparison with other crimes. Conflict between the two cultural groups occurs when actions of members of the nonIndian group are contrary to the values of the Indian group. Findings demonstrate the relevance of data collection efforts from small, rural communities may have implications for understanding community violence and improved violence prevention efforts.