Discuss how social disorganization theory applies to modern theorizing about gangs. Be sure to provide a brief history of the theory’s development, assess at least one strength and one limitation of its core arguments, and detail findings from at least one study that explored whether social disorganization theory applies to gangs.

What will be an ideal response?


Students should first describe the initial development of the theory and its core elements. Students should, for example, indicate that social disorganization theory developed in the context of the Chicago school, which is known for focusing on urban sociology. Park and Burgess (1925) were the first scholars in this tradition to use the term “social disorganization,” which they used to describe the status of deteriorated neighborhoods in Chicago. Students should then explain that the first scholars to link social disorganization to crime and gang activity were Thrasher (1927) and Shaw and McKay (1942). From contributions of these researchers, social disorganization theory was specified to include three core structural variables, (1) poverty, (2) residential instability, and (3) population heterogeneity, which were believed to compromise social control, which in turn was believed to generate criminal behavior. While students should, for example, state that the theory has been credited with accounting for structural factors in explaining gang activity, it has also been criticized for being limited largely to sizable urban settings. Students should then note that by and large, empirical research has supported the application of social disorganization theory to gangs. For example, in 2010, Pyrooz and colleagues conducted the first known national-level study of gang membership, and they found that two core social disorganization variables, poverty and ethnic/racial heterogeneity, significantly impacted gang membership.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

Describe the Cycle of Disorder

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

The U.S. Supreme Court held that the PSI is confidential in nature in the case of ______.

A. Williams v. New York B. Williams v. Gangley C. Gagnon v. Scarpelli D. Butler v. California

Criminal Justice

Some recent studies relate ______ to delinquency, aggression, and suicidal behavior among women.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Criminal Justice

Subjugation of a defendant's rights involves __________.

A. Officers who seek personal monetary gain. B. Officers who use illegal drugs. C. Officers who obtain a conviction through perjury or "flaking," or the planting of drugs on a suspect by a police officer to acquire evidence. D. Officers who use force to extract a confession.

Criminal Justice