Social Structure Theory
SOC 112
Chapter 6
1. Ecological theories
- human behavior developed / changed
- social / physical environment
a. Social Disorganization
- Shaw / McKay
- explained relationships
- increase crime = complexities of society
- social disorganization = causes crime
(1) Durkheim’s = social cohesiveness
- social organization exists
- harmony / internal cohesion
- based on values / norms
(a) Values (goals)
- society deems appropriate
- strive to work for
(b) Norms
- rules on how to behave
- violated by groups in society
- social disorganization occurs
- looked down upon
(2) Concentric circle approach
- dividing city into 5 zones
- look at: characteristics / social change
- distribution: people / behavior
(a) Zone 1 = central business district
- light manufacturing / retail trade
- commercialized recreation
(b) Zone 2 = zone of transition
- surrounds business district
- transition = business / residence
- population = low-income people
- may have = luxury housing
(c) Zone 3 = working-class homes
- less deteriorated
- workers = afford many comforts
(d) Zone 4 = middle-class dwellers
- populated largely by:
- professional people / clerical
- small business owners
- managerial class
(e) Zone 5 = commuter zone
- satellite towns / suburbs
- commute to city for work
(2) To explain crime
- key = zone 2
(a) Manufacturing / businesses move in
- area deteriorates
- those who can = move out
(b) Low income / mostly unskilled
- racial / ethnic segregation
- cheap theaters / restaurants
- bars / liquor stores / pawn shops
(c) Breakdown
- usual methods of control
- community / police / church etc
(3) Zone of transition
- more socially disorganized
- greater crime
- community support = very weak /
nonexistent
(a) Four elements
- makeup social disorganization
(b) Low-income status
- different ethnic groups
- highly mobile = move in / out
- disrupted / broken families
b. Differential association
- introduced in 1939 = Edwin Sutherland
- criminal behavior is learned
- association with others
- association = criminal behavior / attitudes
- crime is learned = like any other behavior
- theory has nine statements:
(1) Criminal behavior is learned
- not inherited
(2) In interactions with others
- process of communication
- gestures as well as verbal
(3) Occurs within intimate groups
- family / peers / etc.
(4) Learning includes:
- techniques for committing crime
- motives / drives / rationalization /
attitude
(5) Motives / drives
- learned from legal code definitions
- “culture conflict” = opposing attitudes
(6) Excess of definitions
- favorable to law violations
(7) Differential associations may vary
- frequency / duration / priority /
intensity
(8) Learning crime
- involves all mechanisms of learning
(9) Criminal behavior is not excused
- by expressing needs / values
- non-criminal expresses same