Summary Of Social Disorganization Theory

A. Summary
Social Disorganization Theory links crime rates to a neighborhood’s ecological system. Burgess had the idea of concentric zone theory, where the town is a series of circles in the shape of an outwardly expansive target. As the city grows, each inner ring invades the nearest adjacent ring and triggers a domino effect of invasion, domination, and succession. Shaw and McKay used Burgess’s model to find a pattern showing delinquents being most concentrated in the inner part of the city, and steadily decreasing out toward the affluent areas. As a city expands with industry and commerce, those with money are able to move, and those who cannot move have an increased chance of turning to crime in order to survive. Sampson and Groves point
Critical Questions Question 1. Would social programs that help those who become impoverished reduce the need for criminal acts that are a perceived need of survival? Social Disorganization Theory says that crime rates increase because of lack of social cohesion and social capital. Crime is not just limited to those that are economically disadvantaged. The affluent can commit crimes too. While economic and financial support do play a key role, without a social bond it becomes less likely that an induvial will refrain from acts that would harm their community. Questions 2. Can an individual’s personal code and sense of self-identity keep them from committing criminal acts in order to survive? It seems to be the nature of people to survive. Human beings are good at rationalizing their situation. If a person can convince themselves that a behavior is needed for their continued existence, they can then justify their behavior. It is the perceived idea of not being given a real choice. A person’s personal code can keep them from committing criminal acts, but when a person’s survival is challenged, it is easy to shift one’s code to fit their