Social Disorganization and Control Theories
(these ideas drawn from Goode, 1994-2008 chapter 3; and Pfohl, Images of Deviance and Social Control, 1985. See the disclaimer)
Shift in focus: Social Causation
Normative definition of deviance, deterministic approach
Social Pathology==>the City
Society==> System of rules and values that bind us together.
Change is the problem
Deviance==>Is the product of the disorder that is produced in the transition from one state of order to another
Deviance becomes seen as a "natural" problem for all societies, across time: a spatial/socio-ecological reality (localized anomie).
Social Ecology (Cecil greek's notes) (Park and Burgess):
Society as Superorganism.
Change as natural.
Organized area is invaded ==> competition ==>succession or accommodation==>reorganization.
During stage of competition==> Disorganization: breakdown in the normative structure of the community==>Deviance.
Can't stop change, nor the problems associated with it, BUT sociologists can assist in reorganization process.
Sources of Change:
Science and Technology
Urbanization
Population growth, especially immigration and migration.
Economic restructuring--unemployment.
Industrialization
Change as a Threat
To existing "Social Order"
Challenge to dominance of traditional WASP Middle Class: Nativism
Need to control deviance and the populations (ethnic/racial groups) that were seen as producing it.
Goal: Reorganization based on traditional assumptions about the "natural order of society"
Control:
Intervention to reorganize.
Sociologists as technicians
Create stable environment for industrial expansion.
Secure a problematic population as a reliable source of workers
Community Development
Social Disorganization (local copy)
(See also: wikipedia, "Social Disorganization Theory" (Diane DeMelo files), and "Social Disorganization, Ecology, and Crime." )
"A decrease in the influence of existing social rules of behavior upon the individual members of the group. An area where social institutions, norms and values, are no longer functioning."
Without normative constraint==>Anything goes==Deviance flourishes.
Focus on the "natural" areas of competition.
(I've "borrowed" this image from Bruce Hoffman (blhoffma@indiana.edu) who manages www.crimetheory.com )
Concentric Zone Theory
Chicago as a living laboratory
The city evolves through radial expansion
Areas closest to the dynamic core are most impact by change.
Zone 2 the transition zone is seen as primary area for deviance
Pushed by industrial expansion
Center of residence for newly arrived immigrants and migrants
High levels of mobility
Unemployment, Single-parent households
Variety of cultural groups and normative confusion
Deviance flourishes
Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay: Delinquency Areas, 1929.
Quantitative study, relies on official statistics: Spot maps, rate maps and area maps
Located highest concentration of J.D. in neighborhoods in zone 2.
Project: Chicago Area Project-- community reorganization, youth programs and environment improvement. Results: never really studied!!!
Walter Miller in Boston:
Similar project, no real impact
Slight decrease in minor illegal behavior, but rise in serious criminal activity.
Problems:
Definitions and circularity: If J.D.==> Disorganization, then Disorganization==> J.D.
Why certain patterns indicators of disorganization? Single mothers, working women, large households, or unmarried men.
Disorganization or differential organization?
Use of official statistics to identify delinquency
Slum as a "natural" are or product of socially imposed system of economic stratification and inequality?
Social Disorganization at the micro level: Control Theories (Prof. Tom O'Connor's notes, local copy)
Why most don't deviate?
Reckless and Containment Theory: (Diane DeMelo files)
Inner pushes and outer pulls.
If structural buffer of external control mechanisms fail--individual is "thrown into deviance.
Hirschi's Social Control Theory (Diane DeMelo files) (Social Bonding)
Individuals are "naturally" unrestrained.
Social reality of the Group: Control is acquired through group association, and control is necessary for group survival- therefore individual survival.
The reality of the Social Bond
Internal Control:
Belief: socialization, internalization.
External Control:
Involvement: time factor
Commitment: stake in society, something to lose
Attachment: role models, someone you don't want to let down.
A General Theory of Crime:
Self-Control Theory
(see, Goode, 2007)
1990 - Gottfredson & Hirschi's General Theory of Crime (part of a student prtesentation at another university)
Force or fraud in pursuit of self-interest
Applies to any and all crimes and includes 'sin', or a variety of self indulgent actions i.e. smoking or being a couch potato
Stresses the factors present in the immediate or "proximate" situation of the criminal action that determine or influence its enactment, crime, and those background or "distant" factors that determine or influence the tendency to commit crime, criminality.
The origin of crime is low self-control, which results from inadequate, ineffective, and inconsistent socialization by parents early in childhood.
Criminal acts provided immediate and easy or simple gratification of desires and are exciting, risky, or thrilling
Since crime entails "the pursuit of immediate pleasure, people lacking in self control will also tend to pursue immediate pleasures that are not criminal."
It is self control that determines social control
Critique of Anomie ( strain) Theory:
Crime is an impulsive act which provides immediate, short-term, and rather skimpy rewards
Criminals lack the skills, diligence and persistence necessary for the deviant "adaptations"
Does not explain the incidence, or rate of criminal behavior as a whole, since most of it is petty, compulsive and immediate
Critique of Learning Theory
One does not learn to engage in crime, since no learning is required
Criminal acts are simple commonsensical, concrete, and result in immediate gratification
Criminals are simply doing what comes naturally
What causes such behavior is not the presence of something - learning- but the absence of something - self control
Gottfredson and Hirschi reject all other explanations of criminal behavior except their own; only lack of self-control is truly consistent with the facts of crime. But: although incomplete, Classical and Social Disorganization Theory are consistent with the facts:
Not all persons who exhibit low self-control commit crime; low self-control merely predisposes someone to commit crime.
Crime can take place to the extent that a motivated offender has access to a "suitable target" i.e. money , which lacks a "capable guardian."
The inability of a community to monitor the behavior of its residents complements parental incompetence.
Critique of Self-Control Theory
Strain theorist - the aggressiveness and anger that many criminals exhibit when committing their crimes is far more than lack of self-restraint; only strain theory explains it.
Learning theorist - lack of self-control is a basic component or element of the deviant learning process, hence, learning theory subsumes, or swallows up, self-control theory
Issue of where self-control comes from, and what it means in particular social contexts? Can we learn it (and un-learn it)? Is it specific to particular social groups--dominant ideology?
What are the complex factors that explain why someone with "self-control" deviates, and why someone without "self-control" may not deviate?
Ignores the issues surrounding the definition of deviance--perhaps our understanding of self-control stems from not defining the behavior of some as deviant, or from attributing low self-control to those whose behaviors are defined as deviant (circularity).
Most likely, Gottfredson and Hirschi have not offered a "general theory" of crime and deviance, but a plausible account of bits and pieces of the phenomenon they purport to explain.
Jack Katz: Thrill Seekers (see more on Katz from Prof. Cecil Greek: 1, 2, and 3) (local copies of Cecil greek's notes)
Deviance can be stimulating
Sense of power, control, excitement
Some have higher threshold- require intensified experience
Deviance can provide a "thrilling demonstration of personal competence."
Structural Strain Theories
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/socdisor.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
References and Credits for this Page of Notes
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 11:45 AM
Social Disorganization and Control Theories(these ideas drawn from Goode, 1994-2008 chapter 3; and Pfohl, Images of Deviance and Social Control, 1985. See the disclaimer)Shift in focus: Social CausationNormative definition of deviance, deterministic approachSocial Pathology==>the CitySociety==> System of rules and values that bind us together.Change is the problemDeviance==>Is the product of the disorder that is produced in the transition from one state of order to anotherDeviance becomes seen as a "natural" problem for all societies, across time: a spatial/socio-ecological reality (localized anomie).Social Ecology (Cecil greek's notes) (Park and Burgess):Society as Superorganism.Change as natural.Organized area is invaded ==> competition ==>succession or accommodation==>reorganization.During stage of competition==> Disorganization: breakdown in the normative structure of the community==>Deviance.Can't stop change, nor the problems associated with it, BUT sociologists can assist in reorganization process.Sources of Change:Science and TechnologyUrbanizationPopulation growth, especially immigration and migration.Economic restructuring--unemployment.IndustrializationChange as a ThreatTo existing "Social Order"Challenge to dominance of traditional WASP Middle Class: NativismNeed to control deviance and the populations (ethnic/racial groups) that were seen as producing it.Goal: Reorganization based on traditional assumptions about the "natural order of society"Control:Intervention to reorganize.Sociologists as techniciansCreate stable environment for industrial expansion.Secure a problematic population as a reliable source of workersCommunity Development Social Disorganization (local copy)(See also: wikipedia, "Social Disorganization Theory" (Diane DeMelo files), and "Social Disorganization, Ecology, and Crime." )"A decrease in the influence of existing social rules of behavior upon the individual members of the group. An area where social institutions, norms and values, are no longer functioning."Without normative constraint==>Anything goes==Deviance flourishes.Focus on the "natural" areas of competition.(I've "borrowed" this image from Bruce Hoffman (blhoffma@indiana.edu) who manages www.crimetheory.com ) Concentric Zone TheoryChicago as a living laboratoryThe city evolves through radial expansionAreas closest to the dynamic core are most impact by change.Zone 2 the transition zone is seen as primary area for deviancePushed by industrial expansionCenter of residence for newly arrived immigrants and migrantsHigh levels of mobilityUnemployment, Single-parent householdsVariety of cultural groups and normative confusion Deviance flourishesClifford Shaw and Henry McKay: Delinquency Areas, 1929.Quantitative study, relies on official statistics: Spot maps, rate maps and area mapsLocated highest concentration of J.D. in neighborhoods in zone 2.Project: Chicago Area Project-- community reorganization, youth programs and environment improvement. Results: never really studied!!! Walter Miller in Boston:Similar project, no real impactSlight decrease in minor illegal behavior, but rise in serious criminal activity.Problems:Definitions and circularity: If J.D.==> Disorganization, then Disorganization==> J.D.Why certain patterns indicators of disorganization? Single mothers, working women, large households, or unmarried men.Disorganization or differential organization?Use of official statistics to identify delinquencySlum as a "natural" are or product of socially imposed system of economic stratification and inequality?Social Disorganization at the micro level: Control Theories (Prof. Tom O'Connor's notes, local copy)Why most don't deviate?Reckless and Containment Theory: (Diane DeMelo files)Inner pushes and outer pulls.If structural buffer of external control mechanisms fail--individual is "thrown into deviance.Hirschi's Social Control Theory (Diane DeMelo files) (Social Bonding)Individuals are "naturally" unrestrained.Social reality of the Group: Control is acquired through group association, and control is necessary for group survival- therefore individual survival.The reality of the Social BondInternal Control:Belief: socialization, internalization.External Control:Involvement: time factorCommitment: stake in society, something to loseAttachment: role models, someone you don't want to let down. A General Theory of Crime: Self-Control Theory(see, Goode, 2007)1990 - Gottfredson & Hirschi's General Theory of Crime (part of a student prtesentation at another university)Force or fraud in pursuit of self-interestApplies to any and all crimes and includes 'sin', or a variety of self indulgent actions i.e. smoking or being a couch potatoStresses the factors present in the immediate or "proximate" situation of the criminal action that determine or influence its enactment, crime, and those background or "distant" factors that determine or influence the tendency to commit crime, criminality.The origin of crime is low self-control, which results from inadequate, ineffective, and inconsistent socialization by parents early in childhood.Criminal acts provided immediate and easy or simple gratification of desires and are exciting, risky, or thrillingSince crime entails "the pursuit of immediate pleasure, people lacking in self control will also tend to pursue immediate pleasures that are not criminal."It is self control that determines social controlCritique of Anomie ( strain) Theory:Crime is an impulsive act which provides immediate, short-term, and rather skimpy rewardsCriminals lack the skills, diligence and persistence necessary for the deviant "adaptations"Does not explain the incidence, or rate of criminal behavior as a whole, since most of it is petty, compulsive and immediateCritique of Learning TheoryOne does not learn to engage in crime, since no learning is requiredCriminal acts are simple commonsensical, concrete, and result in immediate gratificationCriminals are simply doing what comes naturallyWhat causes such behavior is not the presence of something - learning- but the absence of something - self controlGottfredson and Hirschi reject all other explanations of criminal behavior except their own; only lack of self-control is truly consistent with the facts of crime. But: although incomplete, Classical and Social Disorganization Theory are consistent with the facts:Not all persons who exhibit low self-control commit crime; low self-control merely predisposes someone to commit crime.Crime can take place to the extent that a motivated offender has access to a "suitable target" i.e. money , which lacks a "capable guardian."The inability of a community to monitor the behavior of its residents complements parental incompetence.Critique of Self-Control TheoryStrain theorist - the aggressiveness and anger that many criminals exhibit when committing their crimes is far more than lack of self-restraint; only strain theory explains it.Learning theorist - lack of self-control is a basic component or element of the deviant learning process, hence, learning theory subsumes, or swallows up, self-control theoryIssue of where self-control comes from, and what it means in particular social contexts? Can we learn it (and un-learn it)? Is it specific to particular social groups--dominant ideology?
What are the complex factors that explain why someone with "self-control" deviates, and why someone without "self-control" may not deviate?
Ignores the issues surrounding the definition of deviance--perhaps our understanding of self-control stems from not defining the behavior of some as deviant, or from attributing low self-control to those whose behaviors are defined as deviant (circularity).
Most likely, Gottfredson and Hirschi have not offered a "general theory" of crime and deviance, but a plausible account of bits and pieces of the phenomenon they purport to explain.
Jack Katz: Thrill Seekers (see more on Katz from Prof. Cecil Greek: 1, 2, and 3) (local copies of Cecil greek's notes)
Deviance can be stimulating
Sense of power, control, excitement
Some have higher threshold- require intensified experience
Deviance can provide a "thrilling demonstration of personal competence."
Structural Strain Theories
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/socdisor.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
References and Credits for this Page of Notes
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 11:45 AM
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