Robert Sampson advanced social disorganization theory with his colleagues by drawing the connection between individual efficacy and collective efficacy. Define these two types of efficacy. What is the role of social cohesion and trust in this theoretical advancement?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A strong answer might include the following:
• Two types of efficacy exist according to Sampson: individual efficacy (i.e., an individual’s ability to accomplish a task) and neighborhood or collective efficacy (i.e., a neighborhood’s ability to recognize common goals of a safe environment that is largely free from crime and deviance). Sampson and colleagues defined collective efficacy as “social cohesion among neighbors combined with their willingness to intervene on the behalf of the common good.” Social cohesion and trust between neighbors are seen as necessary conditions for residents to be willing to intervene for the common good. Basically, the argument is that collective efficacy is an important mediating effect between structural factors associated with social disorganization and deviant behavior, particularly violent behavior; this adds to the overall advancement of social disorganization theory.