Ppt for SOCIAL DISORGANISATION theory

1. Sociological Theory
(Disorganization Theory) of
Criminal Behaviour
PRAKASH PRAJAPAT

2. 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.

3. Causes of Crime & Theories
Criminology 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.

4. 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.

5. Sociological Theories of Crime
Sociology: 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 Theory
Strain Theory
Cultural Deviance Theory

6. The Three Branches of
Social Structure Theory

7. The Chicago School
Chicago School gathered empirical evidence from the
slums of the city.
Empirical = info. gained by means of observation &
experimentation
Correlation 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.

8. Social Disorganization Theory
The 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.

9. The Social Disorganization
Model
Poverty
Residential
Mobility
Ethnic
Heterogeneity
Social
Disorganization
Crime
Criminal
Subculture

10. Social Disorganization Theory

11. MAJOR PREMISE
Crime is a product of
transitional neighborhoods
that manifest
social disorganization
and value conflict.
STRENGTHS
Identifies why crime rates
are highest in slum areas.
Points out the factors
that
produce crime. Suggests
programs to help
reduce crime.
Social Disorganization Theory:
Concentric Zone Theory
Social Disorganization Theory:
Concentric Zone Theory

12. Factors That Affect Crime
The Social Ecology School
Transitional neighborhoods
Community deterioration
Poverty concentration
Employment opportunities
Community fear, i.e., race, gangs, mistrust.
Community change

13. What exactly is social
disorganization?
Social disorganization:
Sparse local networks, weak social ties
Low organizational participation
Lack of trust among neighbors
Result:
Inability to solve problems and pursue goals
Parents less able to socialize and control youth
Breakdown in surveillance

14. 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.

15. Question
According to social disorganization theory,
how does fear
affect a ‘disorganized’ neighborhood?

16. THANKS........