A term thrown around with no explanation in Shot Caller. The word used when a person has been confirmed as being involved in a gang, prison or otherwise. Could lead to more restricted priveleges in the hole, segregation from general pop, and possible time in the SHU. Once you have been validated and are out of prison, you get a "special condition" of your parole, and that means that you cannot associate with anyone who is a gang member, former gang member, affiliate, associate whether you knew it or not. If you are caught doing so, you get more time.
feeling achieved or appreciated when receiving praise in school. while it can be a good motivator, constantly seeking academic validation can become a problem mentally. this can lead to purposefully overworking yourself to feel that adrenaline rush that comes with good marks.
Mom: Why are your grades so bad?
Me: Because I seek academic validation to the point where if I can't do it perfectly the first time then there's no use in trying at all.
To feel better about oneself by viewing oneself not as an individual but as part of a larger group. In this state, one need not accomplish anything oneself but can take great pride in the accomplishments of others as though they are personal accomplishments because the group is viewed a personal extension.
'Yea we won!"
"No the Steelers won. You just watched the game on TV."