Final answer:
Persons not formally inducted into gangs but somewhat involved are often associates who partake in some gang activities and reflect collective behavior, similar to community groups collaborating on local interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who are not officially gang members but are accepted to some degree are often referred to as ‘associates’ or ‘affiliates’ of the gang. They participate on a limited basis in the gang's social and criminal activities.
These associates might involve themselves in the gangs' activities for various reasons, such as protection, community, or economic gain, without being full-fledged members. Gangs like the distance from the core activities that could involve higher risks.
Furthermore, these individuals may represent socially recognized groups, which are formed by shared interests or close proximity, but without the deeper engagement or formal membership of actual gang members.
The extent to which these individuals participate can vary widely, from passive supporters to active participants in specific tasks or functions within the gang's operations.
Communities without organized gangs still exhibit group behaviors much like those of gangs to a certain extent. For example, neighbors might collaborate to maintain property values and improve local amenities, representing a benign form of turf protection that reflects a shared interest in the well-being of their neighborhood.