Theories of Crime - Week 5 Flashcards
Ecological Perspective
- Sociological theory of crime
- Biological & psychological theories look for explanations that are within individuals - pathologies - sociological see the cause of crime in factors that are external to individuals in society
Sociological Theorist View
- Sociological theories see criminal and delinquents as
normal people whose behaviour is influenced in some way by the social environment in which they live
What is important concept to Chicago school theorists?
Environment
- they have linked crime directly to environmental design and urbanisation
Social Deviance
- Major concern for Chicago sociologists
Social Deviance Definition
violation of society’s norms or rules for appropriate behaviour
Social Deviance as a _____
Social Problem
Used two main methods of research
1
1) official data - census data, but Chicago school used Chicago specific data
Used two main methods of research
2
2) the life history method or ethnography - talking to people, interviewing, observations,
Robert Park
- Chicago sociologist
- Applied principles of plant & animal ecology to understanding criminal deviance and cases
- ecological perspective (school of thought)
Robert Park
Observations
1) racial, class and other group associations affect one another’s daily lives
2) these groups are also affected by a variety of conditions in the urban environment, including land use, property values, location of industry, and natural boundaries (rivers, highways, railroad lines)
Robert Park
Factors relationships name
“Social system”
- human equivalent of an “eco-system”
Robert Park
Sociological Analysis of City Life
(2)
1) Symbiosis
2) Invasion, Domination & Succession
Robert Park
Symbiosis
- refers to a condition of mutual interdependence among organisms in an environment that is necessary for survival
example: like how trees and humans need eachother
Robert Park
Symbiosis
- elimination of affordable housing for disadvantaged people in city will require them to adapt and relocate, large scale unaffordability causes larger problems in terms of homelessness, crime, disorder and other concerns
Robert Park
Symbiosis
Most Important Thing
- human ecology is the idea that changes in any part of the social system affect all other components
Robert Park
Invasion, Domination & Succession
- in plant and animal ecology, refers to a sequential process that involves species competing with each other for scarce resources, thus changing the balance of relationships in a given geographical area. New species drive out competitors, come to dominate the environment and eventually form stable interdependencies themselves with other species of animal and plant life.
Robert Park
Invasion, Domination & Succession
- industrial and commercial establishments reclaim slum areas, seeing these parts of the city as inexpensive investment properties with potential for increased value. Investors purchase dilapidated housing at low costs; the people who lived in these run-down areas may have their (rented) homes sold from under them to be replaced with new business or fancy condos, or find themselves unwelcome in the new, gentrifying environment. The original inhabitants are often displaced to other parts of the city. When they are displaced they may also have difficulty finding alternative affordable housing.
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
1) Loop Zone
2) Transition Zone
3) Workingmens Home Zone
4) Residential Zone
5) Commuter Zone
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
Loop
- core of city
- commerce, industry and government can afford these high prices
- banks, stores, hotels, theatres, public transportation & government offices
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
Transition Zone
- property value is eroded
- property owners here believe that they will be torn down to make room for industrial and commercial expansion, don’t maintain their buildings
- low-rent, run-down dwellings for marginalized and immigrant population
Natural Area: Ghettos
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
Workingmens Homes
- inexpensive two and three family dwellings
- migrated outward from the transitional zone
Natural Areas: communities united by ethnic or religious ties
(railway tracks, rivers or roads)
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
Residential
- more expensive apartments and dwellings occupied by middle class
- small business’ and professional offices
Natural Areas: communities united by ethnic or religious ties
(railway tracks, rivers or roads)
Robert Park & Ernest Burgess (1924)
Concentric Zone Theory
Commuter
- residences of more affluent commuter population
- richer people
Social Disorganization Theory
Shaw and McKay (1942)
- work established off of Ernest and Burgess
- Found that crime rates are highest in transitional zone
- different types of people are always in the transitional zone, can’t connect with neighbours
Cultural Transmission Theory
Shaw and McKay
- social disorganization leads to criminal activity by highlighting role of cultural transmission
- population looked down upon, population unstable, little work, no money for schools, health care.
- Don’t like law enforcement, children have few or no part time jobs, recreation or positive opportunities.
this results in criminal behaviour among youth
Symbolic Interaction & Culture Conflict
- Relativist view
Relativist view = no absolutes - behaviour is defined as unacceptable by one community or in one historical context could be defined as acceptable in another
Example: homosexuality used to be a sin, but now it is allowed in most places
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Deviant Places - 5 Characteristics
1) Density
2) Poverty
3) Mixed use of Space
4) Transience
5) Dilapidation
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Density
- deviant neighbourhoods crowded, densely populated areas
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Poverty
- deviant neighbourhoods impoverished, and inhabited by people who work long hours for little pay or unemployed
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Mixed use of Space
- deviant neighbourhoods have both residents and commercial use of space.
- they are side by side, sometimes same building
- strangers in area who come to access businesses but do not reside there
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Transience
- high rates of residents turnovers and people moves in and out of area
- residents don’t get to know or develop strong relationships with neighbours because constantly changing
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Dilapidation
- run down and not maintained
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Law Enforcement
- may be initially over-policed but over time come to be ignored
- over-policing makes them feel targeted and reduced trust in police and they will then stop calling for assistance expect for most serious cases
- since under policed they are attractive for those engaging in deviant behaviour
(drug dealing)
Deviant Places
Rodney Stark (1987)
Important Concept
place
how does it become bad?
Alice Coleman (1989) Design Disadvantage
- crime rates can be lowered by reducing area’s design disadvantage
- there could be individual yards for each house or flat, rather than communal this gives a sense of belonging, increasing time spent outside, getting to know neighbours
CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design)
Defensible Space
- space clearly defined through range of real and symbolic barriers that allow residents to defend and control that space
Collective Efficacy
Sampson et al (1998)
Mutual trust among neighbours combined with willingness to intervene on behalf of the common good, specifically to supervise children and maintain public order
Collective Efficacy
Sampson et al (1998)
- neighbourhoods characterized by high collective efficacy have lower crime rates, regardless of level of poverty of racial composition
