Social Disorder Theory
Social disorder theory---or social disorganization theory---found its beginnings in the early 1900s at the University of Chicago. The Chicago School of sociology put together an ecological perspective on social disorder and how it relates to criminal activity within an urban setting. Modern sociology theory questions whether or not this perspective accounts for the non-criminal activity present within high crime areas.
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Four Wishes Theory
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Social disorder theory is based on the influence of family and social groups in the socialization of the individual. The Four Wishes Theory represents the four primary values that emerge within a given family or group, or neighborhood environment. The four wishes refer to instinctual desires for security, new experiences, recognition and domination that each individual harbors. The occurrence of criminal activity is a proposed effect of social disorganization caused by weak social relationships and the communication difficulties that arise within culturally diverse populations.
Concentric Zone Model
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The Concentric Zone Model was created in 1925 by Ernest Burgess, one of the many professors associated with the Chicago School. It's an urban ecology theory in which cities are viewed as similar to animal environments found in nature. The formation of a city gives rise to concentrations of people in certain areas. Territories are formed, and people begin to migrate as urban areas become more congested. Competition over available resources leads to the creation of ecological niches made up of people with similar social characteristics. The zonal hypothesis predicts delinquent, or criminal behavior are highest in the areas where the most transition occurs.
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Crime
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The relationship between crime and social disorder is addressed by Professor Ellsworth Faris, another member of the Chicago School group. Faris relates the crime rates present in a city as caused by the disorganization that's present within a city's law enforcement realm. In effect, large metropolis-type cities with diverse populations become susceptible to well organized criminal activity as a result of the weak law enforcement structures. The breakdown of family and community relationships within city populations is also linked to the likelihood of high crime rates.
Racial Invariance
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Social disorder theory examines the effects of segmentation on the ethnic populations within a city. A hypothesis developed in 1995 by sociologists, Robert J. Sampson and Lydia Bean, link the unusually high rates criminal activity amongst African-American males to isolated conditions that result from being the most disadvantaged group within a populace. The effects of racial inequality are described as appearing in patterns across a community. In light of the "four wishes theory," this isolative effect may create barriers to individuals within an isolated community. These barriers are present within the communication styles used to cope within conditions where need, want and survival are primary motivators. Attempts to communicate with someone outside of the group---someone more affluent---are met with misunderstandings and further isolation.
Considerations
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Inherent within social disorder theory is the question as to whether certain behaviors may be deemed acceptable within particular ethnic groups, rather than created by social disorder present within families, communities and law enforcement agencies. In addition, areas in which a high crime rate is expected may show pockets in which members are not involved in delinquent or criminal behaviors. In terms of concentric zone model, some foreign countries exist within an opposite pattern layout, with the wealthiest members of a community living in the inner metropolis, while the disadvantaged reside on the outskirts of the city.
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