Social Disorganisation Theories
Who is the focus of SDTs
Neighbourhoods and communities
What does the Systemic Model emphasise?
Overlapping personal and institutional social networks for neighbourhood organisation.
Who proposed the Concentric Zone Model?
Park & Burgess, 1925
What is one criticism about SDT’s suggestion about ethnicity?
That ethnic heterogeneity increases crime – might actually not.
Identify some of the characteristics that Social Ecological Models use to describe cities (at least 1).
Life is superficial, people are anonymous, interacts are transitory, kindship bonds are frail.
Define, and provide an example of, Parochial Control?
Broader neighbourhood relationships (E.g. neighbours, local organizations, schools).
How did this model view a city?
As an ecological unit
What are some examples of ways to reduce structural disadvantage?
Housing support programs, rental assistance, tenant protection programs, cultural competence and inclusion programs etc.
What is social disorganisation defined as?
The breakdown of social institutions and community norms that normally keep crime in check OR as the ability of local communities to realise common values or solve common problems (Bursik, 1988).
What is the process of Collective Efficacy Theory?
Negative structural factors to low collective efficacy to high crime.
How do social problems, like crime, move in a city according to this theory?
They move outwards, becoming less common further away from the CBD.
What is the policy of increasing civic and community participation aimed to achieve?
Enhance collective efficacy and informal social control.
What are the three factors that characterise socially disorganised communities?
Low SES, racial and ethnic heterogeneity, residential instability.
Define collective efficacy, including its two main factors.
Strength of social bonds, shared values and mutual support among neighbours. The ability of residents to monitor and regulate behaviour in their community.
Two main factors: Social cohesion and trust; and Informal social control.
In what ways do social problems interact between zones?
There is a ripple effect from one zone to the adjacent zone.
What is a criticism about definitions of neighbourhoods?
Administrative boundaries vs real neighbourhoods; or difference in perspectives.
What are some limitations to Shaw & McKay’s SDT?
It did not test the mechanisms of social disorganisation; and the structural factors are sources of social disorganisation rather than SD itself.
What are some examples of informal social control?
Willingness to intervene, willingness for neighbours/residents to report children behaving delinquently (graffiti, skipping school, being disrespectful etc.), willingness to report behaviour etc.
How does this theory relate to social disorganisation theory?
It provides the theoretical and methodological foundation for SDT.
Identify some other ways to enhance collective efficacy and informal social control.
Strengthening social ties and building social networks; supporting local leaders etc.