Classical Theories of Crime 4 PDF

Preview

Summary

lecture notes for Classical Theories of Crime 4...

Description

The Chicago School of Criminology From Text to Table: Applying Theory to the Real World Sociology ● Theoretical emphasis: ● Social aspects of human behavior ● Organization ● Structure ● Culture of group life ● Interaction Social Structural Theories (Macro level) - Crime – how society is organized - Disregard for biological or psychological variation Emile Durkheim (1858-1916) Influential: Modern structural perspectives on crime Affected by: American revolution, French revolution, Industrial revolution Strong theoretical ties: - Social Disorganization Theory - Merton’s Theory of Anomie Social Disorganization Theory – “first distinct sociological theory of crime” (Barlow & Kauzlarich, 54) Chicago School of Criminology - Referred to the Ecological School - Early example: theory with scientific analysis Cultural Context: Chicago 1800s and early 1900’s - Chicago in the 19th century – fastest growing city in U.S. history - Population: 5,000 in early 1800’s and 2,000,000 by 1900 - Growth due to central geographic position Cultural Context: Chicago 1800s and early 1900’s - Early to mid 1800’s – many large cities – no formal social agencies - Urbanization

-

Communities responsible for solving own problems: Crime Late 1800’s – language and cultural barriers Solving problems difficult

Result – chaos, normlessness - Durkheim - rapid urbanization/industrialization - Quintessential example of “anomic” state - Breakdown in control - Delinquency, gangs Theoretical guidance – solutions -

Early 1900’s: Department of Sociology – University of Chicago - Solve social problems Various theoretical models – crime/social ills

Ecology and City Growth - 1920’s and 1930’s – new ideas pertaining to city growth - University of Chicago sociologists - Model – Robert E. Park Theory of Ecology - Human behavior and city growth – “principles of ecology” - Wildlife - Ecology: “…the study of the dynamics and processes through which plants and animals interact with the environment.” (Tibbetts and Hemmens, 383) Application of Darwin theory -

Park: growth of cities – natural pattern, evolution Cities – type of organism: Unity and Interrelations Symbiosis – citizen dependence on each other Better off – work together, whole Cities – identifiable clusters Natural Areas: “life of its own” Contribute to whole

Theory of Ecology ● Certain areas (species): Invade/dominate neighbouring areas

● Dominated areas (species): Recede, Migrate, Die off Urban Sprawl Theory of Ecology - Detriment to stable residential areas: - Businesses moving in: - Invasion – potential for “chaos” - Increased traffic - Transient population (people who don't live in the area) - Crime Observation (Chicago): - Businesses/factories – invading residential areas - Led to chaos - Instability - Breakdown of informal control (i.e. neighbourhood networks) Due to: Highly transient population (consumers) and weak ties Result – psychological indifference - No one cares - Afford to leave- go - Save money - go Introduced theory in 1920’s - Factories – moving in – chimneys - Smoke, smog is produced - Disruption of stable area Complementary perspective – Ernest W. Burgess Theory: - City growth – from the inside out - Not just edges - Source of growth – centre - Inner city growth – pressure on adjacent zones - Grow into additional adjacent zone -

“Radial growth” – inside, ripple outward Drop of water – bucket Waves – circles

Growth - highly visible on edges Reason – pressure from city centre -

Primary zones – Five natural areas Constant state of flux (result of growth) All cities Concentric Circles

Concentric Circles Theory Zone 1: - Innermost circle - Central Business District - Large buildings - Skyscrapers Business/political centres Zone 2: Zone of Transition: - Transition – residential to industrial - Business and factories – invading - Most important when it comes to *Crime * Zone 3: Working Class Zone: - Modest houses/apartments Zone 4: Residential Zone: - High priced family homes/apartments Zone 5: Commuter Zone: - Suburban Concentric Circles Theory -

Three outer zones – less important within the context of crime Inner zone growth, pressure on outer zone (growth)

*Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Social Disorganization

Theory of Social Disorganization -

Assumption: Certain neighbourhoods – more crime than others Most: “zone of transition” – zone 2 Residential to industrial

Areas with highest crime – Three common characteristics (at least): 1. Physical Dilapidation 2. Poverty 3. Heterogeneity - High transient population - Other social ills Shaw and McKay – Significance - Social ills- overlap with higher delinquency rates - Higher rates- zone of transition - Rejection of social Darwinism - Environment – not culture - Does not matter who resides in zone of transition Social Disorganization Theory – Critique - Did their research actually measure social disorganization? - Emphasis on macro level of analysis - Why don’t most youth in worst areas engage in crime? - Why do some youth in zone 5 engage in crime? - Largest criticism: How to slow invasion of factories/businesses in zone 2. - Source of criminality Social Disorganization Theory – Policy Implications - Shaw - Chicago Area Project (CAP) - Neighborhood centres - Still in existence today - www.chicagoareaproject.org...