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Understanding Social Disorganization Theory in Crime

Explore how social disorganization theory, based on Shaw, McKay, and Durkheim's ideas, explains the link between social structures and crime rates. Learn about concentric circle zones in cities and the impact of different elements on social disorganization and criminal behavior in society.

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Understanding Social Disorganization Theory in Crime

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  1. Social Structure Theory SOC 112 Chapter 6

  2. Ecological theories - human behavior developed / changed - social / physical environment a. Social Disorganization - Shaw / McKay - explained relationships - increase crime = complexities of society - social disorganization = causes crime (1) Durkheim’s = social cohesiveness - social organization exists

  3. - harmony / internal cohesion - based on values / norms (a) Values (goals) - society deems appropriate - strive to work for (b) Norms - rules on how to behave - violated by groups in society - social disorganization occurs - looked down upon

  4. (2) Concentric circle approach - dividing city into 5 zones - look at: characteristics / social change - distribution: people / behavior (a) Zone 1 = central business district - light manufacturing / retail trade - commercialized recreation (b) Zone 2 = zone of transition - surrounds business district - transition = business / residence

  5. - population = low-income people - may have = luxury housing (c) Zone 3 = working-class homes - less deteriorated - workers = afford many comforts (d) Zone 4 = middle-class dwellers - populated largely by: - professional people / clerical - small business owners - managerial class

  6. (e) Zone 5 = commuter zone - satellite towns / suburbs - commute to city for work (2) To explain crime - key = zone 2 (a) Manufacturing / businesses move in - area deteriorates - those who can = move out (b) Low income / mostly unskilled

  7. - racial / ethnic segregation - cheap theaters / restaurants - bars / liquor stores / pawn shops (c) Breakdown - usual methods of control - community / police / church etc (3) Zone of transition - more socially disorganized - greater crime - community support = very weak / nonexistent

  8. (a) Four elements - makeup social disorganization (b) Low-income status - different ethnic groups - highly mobile = move in / out - disrupted / broken families b. Differential association - introduced in 1939 = Edwin Sutherland - criminal behavior is learned - association with others

  9. - association = criminal behavior / attitudes - crime is learned = like any other behavior - theory has nine statements: (1) Criminal behavior is learned - not inherited (2) In interactions with others - process of communication - gestures as well as verbal (3) Occurs within intimate groups

  10. - family / peers / etc. (4) Learning includes: - techniques for committing crime - motives / drives / rationalization / attitude (5) Motives / drives - learned from legal code definitions - “culture conflict” = opposing attitudes (6) Excess of definitions

  11. - favorable to law violations (7) Differential associations may vary - frequency / duration / priority / intensity (8) Learning crime - involves all mechanisms of learning (9) Criminal behavior is not excused - by expressing needs / values - non-criminal expresses same

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