deviance and social control midterm

Factors responsible for crime and deviance (social disorganization theory):

Social instability, poverty, and lack of community cohesion lead to higher crime rates.

Spatial distribution of crime in Chicago (Shaw and McKay):

Crime rates were higher in transitional neighborhoods compared to stable ones.

Concentration of delinquency in urban neighborhoods:

Factors like poverty, residential mobility, and ethnic diversity contribute to higher delinquency rates.

Characteristics of high delinquency neighborhoods:

High poverty, lack of social cohesion, and transient populations.

Impact of these characteristics on deviance reduction:

Reduced ability to form social networks and enforce norms.

Relationship between poverty and crime (social disorganization theory):

Poverty is linked to higher rates of crime due to lack of resources and community support.

Shaw and McKay’s challenge to common assumptions:

They emphasized structural factors over individual characteristics in explaining crime.

Structural disadvantages and crime (Sampson):

Disadvantages lead to weakened social controls, increasing crime prevalence.

Social disorganization caused by bad parenting?

No; it emphasizes broader structural issues rather than individual failings.

Criticisms of social disorganization theory:

It may overlook the agency of individuals and the complexities of community dynamics.

General ideas behind "broken windows theory":

Minor offenses lead to an increase in more serious crime if left unchecked.

Premises of broken windows theory:

Maintaining order in public spaces can prevent crime and disorder.

Factors encouraging broken windows theory:

Urban crime spikes and a focus on quality of life issues influenced its adoption

Connection between privatization and incivility policing (Pospech):

Privatization can lead to reduced public spaces and increased surveillance.

"Subcriminal behavior" (Pospech):

Behaviors that may not be criminal but contribute to a sense of disorder.

Influence of broken windows theory on U.S. policing:

Led to increased policing of minor offenses in urban areas.

Concentration of law enforcement on urban poor (lecture):

Broken windows theory rationalizes focusing police efforts on marginalized communities.

Implications of broken windows theory:

It can lead to over-policing and criminalization of poverty.

Sampson and Raudenbush’s criticism of broken windows theory: