ppt for social disorganisation theory
TRANSCRIPT
Sociological Theory (Disorganization Theory) of
Criminal Behaviour
PRAKASH PRAJAPAT
Sociological Theory of Criminal Behaviour
This theory pre-supposes that criminals are a product of society.
The impact of sociological factors is so great on
persons depending on their environment and immediate social conditions.
Causes of Crime & TheoriesCriminology is the study of crime & the causes of criminal
behavior.Criminologists are always trying to answer the question:
Why do people commit crime?They use correlation & causation help answer that
question.Correlation: when 2 variables seem to work together.Causation: one variable is responsible for change in the
other.
We know that crime rates & the sale of snowballs go up in the summer time.
Is there a correlation between the two? A correlation would mean that every time the crime rate went up, snowball sales would go up & vice versa.
Is there causation? Does that sale of snowballs cause crime rates to go up in the summer? Or does the crime rate go up because snowballs are on sale?
The problem is that it is very difficult to predict violent behavior & the source of that violent behavior.
Sociological Theories of CrimeSociology: the study of societies & social aspects of cultures
& people.These theories focus on social & physical environmental
factors in their study of criminal behavior.The Chicago School developed the following theories
Social Disorganization TheoryStrain TheoryCultural Deviance Theory
The Three Branches of Social Structure Theory
The Chicago SchoolChicago School gathered empirical evidence from the
slums of the city.Empirical = info. gained by means of observation &
experimentationCorrelation between conditions of poverty & high rates
of crime.Conditions of poverty include inadequate housing & lack of
economic opportunities, failing school systems.Neighborhood conditions greater determinant effect than
ethnicity, race, or religion.
Social Disorganization TheoryThe community is disorganized which leads to
antisocial behavior & criminal activity.Breakdown in the social controls of the community.Elevated levels of high school dropouts, unemployment,
deteriorating infrastructures, single parent families, drug abuse, etc.
Found mostly in inner-city areas.
The Social DisorganizationModel
Poverty
Residential Mobility
Ethnic Heterogeneity
SocialDisorganization
Crime
Criminal Subculture
Social Disorganization Theory
MAJOR PREMISE
Crime is a product oftransitional neighborhoods
that manifest social disorganization
and value conflict.
STRENGTHS
Identifies why crime ratesare highest in slum areas.
Points out the factors that
produce crime. Suggestsprograms to help
reduce crime.
Social Disorganization Theory:Concentric Zone Theory
Social Disorganization Theory:Concentric Zone Theory
Factors That Affect CrimeThe Social Ecology School
Transitional neighborhoods
Community deterioration
Poverty concentration
Employment opportunities
Community fear, i.e., race, gangs, mistrust.
Community change
What exactly is social disorganization?Social disorganization:
Sparse local networks, weak social tiesLow organizational participationLack of trust among neighbors
Result: Inability to solve problems and pursue goalsParents less able to socialize and control youthBreakdown in surveillance
CRITICISMS
There have been several persistent criticisms of the theory. The ecological fallacy.
The theory also does not explain how certain groups, such as Asians and Jewish communities, maintained low levels of crime and delinquency even though they lived in areas that might be categorized as socially disorganized.
Question
According to social disorganization theory, how does fear
affect a ‘disorganized’ neighborhood?
THANKS........