the Chicago school Flashcards
1
Q
from what perspective does our interest usually emerge when discussing social issues?
A
a distinctly humanitarian perspective
2
Q
which historical figures are associated with a humanitarian perspective in the 19th century?
A
reformers in 19th century England, such as Charles Booth
3
Q
what is one of the notable contributions of Charles Booth to understanding poverty?
A
he created ‘poverty maps’ that visually represented the social conditions of the time
4
Q
who documented poverty and adverse living conditions before Charles Booth?
A
The Rev Abraham Hume
5
Q
what area did Rev Abraham Hume focus on in his documentation of poverty?
A
all Souls, Vauxhall, Liverpool.
6
Q
why is All Souls, Vauxhall, significant in the context of Rev Abraham Hume’s work?
A
it was potentially the poorest and unhealthiest district of the poorest city in England at the time
7
Q
what is the Chicago School known for?
A
it is a significant movement in sociology that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly associated with the University of Chicago
8
Q
what period is referred to as the “golden years” of the Chicago School?
A
the period from its founding until the 1950s, specifically circa 1892-1950
9
Q
what new technique did the University of Chicago nurture during the golden years of the Chicago School?
A
a new technique in the social science discipline, coupled with an apolitical approach to social reform
10
Q
what does the Chicago School argue about understanding social life?
A
one cannot understand social life without understanding the arrangements of particular social actors in specific social times and places
11
Q
how does the Chicago School view social facts?
A
social facts do not make sense when abstracted from their context in social and geographic space and social time; they are located
12
Q
what does the Chicago School emphasise in their analysis?
A
a focus on social relations and spatial ecology in synchronic analysis
13
Q
what has anthropology traditionally focused on?
A
anthropology has mainly been concerned with the study of primitive peoples
14
Q
what do Park and Burgess argue about civilised man?
A
a civilised man is equally interesting as an object of investigation, and his life is more open to observation and study
15
Q
how do urban life and culture compare to primitive life, according to Park and Burgess?
A
urban life and culture are more varied, subtle, and complicated, but the fundamental motives in both instances are the same
16
Q
what is the traditional approach to research mentioned in the quote?
A
it involves accumulating notes and working with routine records, often described as “getting your hands dirty in real research”
17
Q
what does Robert Park emphasise as more important than traditional research methods?
A
first-hand observations
18
Q
where does Park suggest researchers should observe people?
A
in various settings, such as lounges of luxury hotels, doorsteps of flop-houses, Gold Coast settees, slum shakedowns, orchestra halls, and burlesque shows
19
Q
what metaphor does Park use to describe the hands-on research experience?
A
“Go get the seat of your pants dirty in real research”
20
Q
who was Jane Addams?
A
Jane Addams was a social reformer and pioneering feminist sociologist known for her commitment to social progress through education and radical emancipatory practices
21
Q
what significant institution did Jane Addams found?
A
Jane Addams founded the Hull-House settlement in Chicago
22
Q
what is “Hull-House Maps and Papers”?
A
it is a collection of essays and micro street maps published by Addams in 1895, detailing the slum areas of Chicago east of Hull-House
23
Q
why do Addams and Hull-House feature rarely in the criminological canon?
A
this is attributed to criminology’s fascination with technology and the scientism associated with statistical methods, which focus on the city as a social laboratory
24
Q
who founded Hull-House and when?
A
Hull-House was founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr as a settlement house
25
wat was Hull-House's significance in relation to the Chicago School?
Hull-House was closely intertwined with the Chicago School of sociology but was largely forgotten and arguably excluded from its history until the mid-20th century
26
what type of institution was Hull-House?
Hull-House was a settlement house aimed at social reform and community support
27
how does Robert Park describe the city in his 1928 work?
Park describes the city as not merely an artefact but as an organism, highlighting its natural and uncontrolled growth
28
what does Park mean by saying the city's growth is "natural"?
he means that the growth of the city occurs fundamentally and as a whole without strict control or design
29
according to Park, what do the forms a city assumes represent?
the forms represent and correspond to the functions the city is called upon to perform
30
what is the Concentric Zone Model?
the Concentric Zone Model is a cartographic mapping of the city developed by the Chicago School, consisting of five concentric zones
31
when and where did the Concentric Zone Model first appear?
it first appeared in the 1920s in Robert Burgess’s article, "The Growth of the City: An Introduction to a Research Project," published in 1923
32
what book popularised the Concentric Zone Model?
a book published in 1925 helped popularise the Concentric Zone Model
33
what was the central idea behind the Concentric Zone Model?
the model centred on Chicago but proposed that its theoretical perspective could be applied to any urban ecology
34
what are the 5 components to the concentric zone model?
1. central business district
2. transitional zone
3. working class zone
4. residential zone
5. commuter zone
35
how did Park view communities within an industrial economy?
Park viewed communities as functionally specialised areas within an industrial economy
36
what determined the patterning of communities according to Park?
the patterning of communities was determined by competition
37
what factors did Park believe influenced changes in communities?
changes were influenced by invasion and social succession
38
which source discusses Park's views on communities?
Park's views are discussed in Figlio et al, 1986: xi
39
what metaphor is used to describe the relationship between plant ecology and human ecology?
the metaphor of plant ecology is used to describe human ecology, where dominant species control their environment
40
who transposed the concepts of plant ecology into human ecology?
Park and Burgess transposed the concepts of plant ecology into human ecology
41
in the biological community, what controls the environment?
the dominant species controls the environment and, consequently, the community, subordinating other species
42
what are the human counterparts to the dominant species in plant ecology?
the human counterparts are industry and commerce, particularly the Central Business District (CBD)
43
what leads to dominance in both biological and human communities?
dominance results when environmental changes create conditions favourable for new species to thrive, invade, and succeed the original species
44
what are the two general types of invasions described?
the two types of invasions are those resulting in a change of land use and those resulting simply in changes of occupant
45
what is the first stage in the development of urban zones?
invasion - This is when new groups or industries move into an area, competing for resources and space
46
what happens during the dominance stage?
dominance occurs when the invading group asserts control over the area, adapting to the environment and utilising resources more effectively
47
what is the final stage of zone development?
succession - This stage involves the original groups or industries being replaced or significantly altered by the dominant group, leading to changes in community structure
48
how does the CBD initially expand?
the CBD expands into the downtown area of the city, marking the first stage of its growth
49
what happens after the population begins to expand?
the expansion of the population prompts the CBD to expand in successive stages outward from the downtown area
50
wat impact does CBD expansion have on residential properties?
as the CBD expands, residential properties start to deteriorate as people move away to escape the hustle and bustle of the area
51
what happens to the properties that are left behind during CBD expansion?
the properties that are left behind become uninhabited and uncared for, contributing to urban decline
52
what is the ultimate consequence of this deterioration and change in urban zones?
this deterioration and change can lead to social disorganisation within the community
53
what is the main assumption about people living in natural areas of the same type?
it is assumed that people living in similar natural areas and subject to the same social conditions will display similar characteristics
54
why do people in similar environments exhibit the same characteristics?
shared environmental and social conditions can influence behaviours, lifestyles, and cultural traits among individuals in those areas
55
what factors contribute to the similarities among people in the same natural area?
factors include geographic location, resources available, climate, and social dynamics that shape community interactions
56
what is typically found in the zone of deterioration encircling the central business section?
the zone of deterioration often contains "slums" and "bad lands," as noted by Burgess
57
what are "slums" in the context of urban development?
slums refer to densely populated urban areas characterised by substandard housing, inadequate infrastructure, and poor living conditions
58
what are "bad lands" in urban areas?
"Bad lands" typically refer to areas that are neglected or abandoned, often associated with environmental degradation and urban decay
59
who identified the concept of slums and bad lands in urban zones?
the concept was identified by sociologist Ernest W. Burgess in 1925
60
what does Burgess refer to when mentioning "submerged regions of poverty"?
these regions indicate areas within a city that are hidden from mainstream society, often characterised by high levels of poverty and neglect
61
what are the implications of "degradation and disease" in urban environments?
this phrase highlights the negative living conditions that can lead to health issues and a decline in the quality of life for residents in these areas
62
what does Burgess mean by "underworlds of crime and vice"?
this refers to the presence of illegal activities and moral decay that often thrive in impoverished urban areas, contributing to social problems
63
in what context did Burgess make these observations?
Burgess made these observations in his 1925 work, which examined urban sociology and the challenges faced by cities
64
what dual nature does Burgess attribute to areas of deterioration?
Burgess notes that these areas are characterised by both decay and regeneration, with a stationary or declining population alongside efforts for renewal
65
what examples does Burgess provide of regeneration in deteriorating areas?
he mentions missions, settlements, artists' colonies, and radical centres that aim to create a vision of a new and better world
66
what role do social services play in these areas of deterioration?
the presence of social services indicates efforts to address the needs of residents and support regeneration, highlighting a commitment to improving living conditions
67
what is the biggest problem with the zone of transition in urban studies?
the zone of transition defies the logic of the concentric zone model, which suggests a clear structure of urban growth
68
how is deviance characterised in the transitional zone?
deviance is particularly conspicuous in the transitional zone, highlighting social and economic instability
69
why can't the social organisation in the zone of transition be explained solely by its population characteristics?
the distinctive social organisation reflects a complex interplay of factors, including economic conditions, migration patterns, and historical context, not just the demographics of residents
70
what characteristics define the tricky zone of transition?
it is an area with the cheapest rents, a high turnover of inhabitants, and few settled institutions, often housing the most recent generation of immigrants
71
what pattern is observed among different groups living in the zone of transition?
each group tends to reproduce the same patterns of behaviour, despite being different immigrant populations
72
what significant social issue is produced in the zone of transition?
the zone of transition is known for producing crime, prompting investigations into how deviance arises in that particular area of the city
73
which areas exhibit the greatest mobility in urban settings?
the poverty-ridden inner zones show the highest levels of mobility among inhabitants
74
what negative social issues develop in areas of high mobility?
areas of high mobility often experience demoralisation, promiscuity, vice, juvenile delinquency, boys' gangs, crime, poverty, and issues like wife desertion, divorce, and abandoned infants
75
who highlighted the connection between mobility and social issues in urban areas?
Burgess (1967) noted that regions of high mobility are typically associated with various social problems
76
what is a consequence of easy mobility in urban areas?
easy mobility leads to a high population turnover among residents
77
how does high turnover affect community ties?
a high turnover minimises incentives for residents to develop local community ties, commitments, and a sense of community
78
what scenario results from the disintegration of cultural controls over conduct?
this disintegration leads to random and wild expressions of impulses, resulting in immorality, delinquency, and overall personal and social disorganisation
79
how is the quote described in terms of social theory?
the quote is considered very socially deterministic, suggesting that humans are inert and constrained by their environment
80
what does the quote imply about human behaviour?
it implies that humans are acted upon by their environment rather than having agency over their actions
81
what is important to note about Park et al.'s focus?
Park et al. are not particularly interested in discussing crime or criminal behaviour within their model; these topics are considered irrelevant until Shaw and McKay's work
82
what role do Park and Burgess play in relation to Shaw and McKay?
Park and Burgess provide the intellectual context for Shaw and McKay's work, which later incorporates discussions of crime and delinquency
83
who were the first to empirically illustrate the zonal model?
Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay in 1942
84
what type of data did Shaw and McKay collect?
they collected significant data on juvenile delinquency and social structure within the zone of transition
85
what did Shaw and McKay specifically study in their research?
they studied the processes responsible for higher rates of juvenile delinquency in the zone of transition
86
what term did Shaw and McKay firm up through their research?
they firmed up the term "social disorganisation."
87
what is a key characteristic of a socially disorganised community related to housing?
high rates of residential turnover
88
how does population diversity affect social organisation in communities?
a heterogeneous population contributes to social disorganisation
89
what economic condition is associated with socially disorganised neighbourhoods?
high levels of poverty
90
did Shaw and McKay suggest a direct relationship between economic status and delinquency rates?
no
91
what two key processes are associated with areas of economic deprivation according to Shaw and McKay?
high rates of population turnover and population heterogeneity
92
why do high rates of population turnover and heterogeneity contribute to social disorganisation?
they make it difficult for communities to mount concerted resistance against new groups
93
how does Shaw and McKay's concept of social disorganisation relate to Park and Burgess's formulation of social control?
it is similar to the idea of a group's ability to engage in self-regulation
94
what happens to a community when business and industry invade it, according to Shaw and McKay?
the community ceases to function effectively as a means of social control
95
what effect does the invasion of business and industry have on traditional norms and standards?
traditional norms and standards weaken and disappear
96
how does community resistance to delinquent and criminal behaviour change in disorganised areas?
resistance is low, and such behaviour may be tolerated or even accepted
97
what is the consequence of weakened social control in a community?
delinquent and criminal behaviour may become approved within the community
98
what is a common characteristic of areas with high economic status and low rates of delinquency?
there is a general similarity in the attitudes of the residents regarding conventional values
99
how do areas of low economic status differ in terms of norms and standards of behaviour?
they are characterised by wide diversity in norms and standards
100
what kind of environment do children in low economic status communities grow up in?
they are exposed to a variety of contradictory standards and forms of behaviour
101
what do children in high economic status areas experience regarding behavioural patterns?
they are exposed to a relatively consistent and conventional pattern of behaviour
102
what do the ecologists fail to consider in their analysis of urban social change?
they fail to situate their analysis within a broader national context and consider the impact of capitalist economic development
103
why is it surprising that patterns of property ownership and class relations did not interest the ecologists?
the period was marked by significant economic change, which should have prompted interest in these patterns
104
what does the author suggest about the intellectual approach of the urban ecologists?
they may have been somewhat obtuse in recognising the impact of capitalist industrial production and the distribution of property and power on urban phenomena
105
what is the author's stance on adopting a Marxist approach for the ecologists?
the author does not suggest that a Marxist approach would have been the right theoretical direction, but implies that broader economic factors were overlooked
106
what is one key factor that affects a community's ability to supervise and control teenage groups?
the ability of a community to supervise and control teenage groups (gangs) is well documented in research on juvenile delinquency
107
how does juvenile delinquency typically manifest?
juvenile delinquency tends to occur in groups rather than individuals
108
what statistic is noted regarding individuals from high delinquency areas?
approximately 6 or 7 out of 10 individuals from high delinquency areas are arrested as adults
109
what role do informal local friendship networks play in a community?
strong informal friendship networks contribute to social control and provide natural surveillance, which helps in reducing delinquency
110
why is local participation in formal and voluntary organisations important?
high rates of local participation foster a sense of community identity and solidarity, enhancing the community's capacity to defend itself against social disorganisation
111
what should be considered when examining social disorganisation in a community?
it's important to look at these factors within the context of wider sources of social disorganisation, including exogenous sources
112
what is the relationship between low socio-economic status and crime?
low socio-economic status is a well-established ecological correlate of crime, characterised by a lack of money and resources, and a low level of community participation. This leads to a sense of no embeddedness or belonging
113
how does residential mobility affect social networks?
residential mobility creates a highly mobile and transient population that disrupts informal networks. It makes incomer integration a temporal process, constantly changing and acting as a barrier to the development of social bonds and ties, although it can positively impact friendship networks
114
what impact does racial and ethnic heterogeneity have on communities?
racial and ethnic heterogeneity can hinder the ability of residents to achieve social consensus. It often leads to mistrust among diverse groups, creating fear of those who are different and transient, which can result in segmentation within the community
115
why is family disruption significant in social organisation?
family disruption is significant because it is generally easier to raise children in stable two-parent households, which provides a more supportive environment for child development
116
what problems are associated with high levels of urbanisation?
high levels of urbanisation are often seen as a problem that contributes to social disorganisation, leading to challenges in community cohesion and social stability
