Chicago School Theories

Chicago School

Concerned with the spatial distribution of crime after seeing the effects of:
Urbanization Industrialization Immigration

Social disorganization

A state where a community, particularly a neighborhood, loses its ability to
maintain social control due to weak social bonds, a lack of shared values,
and a breakdown of community institutions. Attributes crime to the breakdown of social institutions and community bonds.

Concentric Zone Theory (Park & Burgess)

Social problems / ills follow pattern in cities• Most problems are in inner city & lessen as city expands• Believed that the growth of a city is much like natural ecological competition• Humans are social creatures & behavior is product of their environment. This theory posits that urban areas develop in concentric rings, with the transition areas facing the most social issues and crime due to socioeconomic factors.

Social Disorganization Theory (Shaw & McKay)

A theory that applies the Concentric Zone Theory to delinquency• Expanded on Park & Burgess. Interested in how economic, social, and cultural characteristics impacted rates of delinquency• Focused on youth. neighborhood features/characteristics lead to crime.• Crime was rooted in characteristics of particular types of neighborhoods and was not a result of the kind of people who resided in those neighborhoods.

4 features of Social Disorganization

1) Mobility, 2) PhysicalCharacteristics, 3) Ethnic Diversity, 4) Socio-Economic status

Coercive mobility

The movement of individuals in and out of neighborhoods due to incarceration. Disrupts social networks and weakens community cohesion

Collective efficacy

The social cohesion among neighbors combined with their willingness to intervene for the common good, influencing crime rates and community safety.

oMutual trust: When neighbors mutually trust and help one another
oMaintain control: community’s ability to maintain control over public spaces
oAddress crime: willingness of communities to combat crime and intervene