A theory associated with the Chicago School of sociology holding that crime rates are higher in neighborhoods where social institutions and community structures have broken down.
Facts
Core ClaimWeakened community institutions and social ties, not the traits of individual residents, explain persistently high crime rates in certain neighborhoods. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountThe theory has been criticized for not explaining why delinquency concentrates in certain geographic areas of a city, and research has found it does not hold consistently across cities. 2 Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
1. Siegel, Criminology: The Core
Larry J. Siegel, Cengage Learning
2. Wikipedia: Social Disorganization Theory
Criticism sectionQuote, Criticism section
The theory has been subject to criticism, pointing out the lack of explanation as to why delinquency is concentrated in certain geographical areas of a city.
2. Wikipedia: Social Disorganization Theory
Theory sectionQuote, Theory section
established in 1929 by Clifford Shaw and published in 1942 with his assistant Henry McKay
Wikipedia: Clifford R. Shaw
Developed By: Clifford R. Shaw, Lead sectionQuote, Developed By: Clifford R. Shaw, Lead section
His work on juvenile delinquency with Henry D. McKay, conducted in the late 1920s, played a pivotal role in moving the study of such delinquency toward the discipline of sociology, and away from psychology and psychiatry.
Wikipedia: Henry D. McKay
Developed By: Henry D. McKay, Lead sectionQuote, Developed By: Henry D. McKay, Lead section
Shaw and McKay also developed social disorganization theory in a study published in 1942.
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