Theories of Social Control
Macrosociological Theories
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Explores formal systems for the
control of groups:
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The legal system, laws, and
particularly law enforcement
Powerful groups in society
Social and economic directives
of government or private groups
Microsociological Theories
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Focuses on informal systems
Collect data from individuals
Often rely on hypotheses that
apply to individuals as well as to
groups, and frequently make
reference to or examine a
person’s internal control system
Focuses on broader social
structures, such as community
structure, economic factors,
ethnic or racial composition of a
community and other patterns
that characterize groups of
people
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
The Macrosociological Perspective:
Social Disorganization Theory
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Focuses on the development of high-crime
areas in which there is a disintegration of
conventional values caused by rapid
industrialization, increased immigration, and
urbanization.
 Based on notions of social control, and how the
lack of such controls (formal and informal)
contribute to delinquency and crime.
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
Social Disorganization
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
Social Disorganization:
Park & Burgess Model
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Introduced the study of
ecology into the study of
human society.
Examination of area
characteristics instead of
criminals to explain high
crime rates.
Natural urban areas consist
of concentric zones.
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
Social Disorganization:
Shaw & McKay’s Work
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Examined the model that Park & Burgess created.
 Demonstrated that the highest rates of delinquency
persisted in the same areas of Chicago even though
ethnic composition changed.
 Conclusion: the crucial factor is not ethnicity, but rather
the position of the group in terms of economic status and
cultural values.
 Cultural transmission: delinquency is socially learned
behaviour that is transmitted from one generation to the
next in disorganized urban areas.
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
Social Disorganization Theory:
Evaluation
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Focuses on transmission of crime patterns, not on
how they start in the first place.
Fails to explain why delinquents stop committing
crime as they grow older.
Fails to explain why most people in socially
disorganized areas do not commit criminal acts and
why some bad neighbourhoods seem to be
insulated from crime.
Does not come to grips with middle-class
delinquency.
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2
Social Disorganization:
Theory Connects
Vancouver’s
Downtown Eastside
Community
Development Area
Project
 Winnipeg Graffiti
Gallery

Graffiti covers this wall in Montreal’s Saint Louis
Square. Cities struggle to find ways of deterring
vandals from damaging property in this way. In
Winnipeg, youth are encouraged to display their
artwork in a legitimate venue that benefits the
community and the youth themselves.
©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.
LO2