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 & 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.
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 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
The Three Branches of 
Social Structure Theory
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.
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.
The Social Disorganization 
Model 
Poverty 
Residential 
Mobility 
Ethnic 
Heterogeneity 
Social 
Disorganization Crime 
Criminal 
Subculture
Social Disorganization Theory
Social Disorganization Theory: 
Concentric Zone Theory 
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.
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
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
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........

Ppt for SOCIAL DISORGANISATION theory

  • 1.
    Sociological Theory (DisorganizationTheory) of Criminal Behaviour PRAKASH PRAJAPAT
  • 2.
    Sociological Theory ofCriminal 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 thatcrime 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 ofCrime 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 Branchesof 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.
  • 11.
    Social Disorganization Theory: Concentric Zone Theory 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.
  • 12.
    Factors That AffectCrime The Social Ecology School Transitional neighborhoods Community deterioration Poverty concentration Employment opportunities Community fear, i.e., race, gangs, mistrust. Community change
  • 13.
    What exactly issocial 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 havebeen 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 tosocial disorganization theory, how does fear affect a ‘disorganized’ neighborhood?
  • 16.