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........