Social dimensions of crime

Social Class And Crime

For this study the researcher chose to explore social class and crime rates, because while there are many studies conducted on race and crime and gender and crime or related factors, social class seems to be something that is relatively little regarded in modern times at least in places like the U.S. Social class is often a large predictor of factors including crime in many countries overseas, but it is sometimes something that is overlooked in the U.S., where people assume democracy guarantees people the right to safety. Studies suggest however that this is very often not the case.

Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy.

In this research study, the authors explore social cohesion and collective efficacy, which they define as the willingness of neighbors to intervene "on behalf of the common good" which they hypothesize is essential to reducing violence. The researchers surveyed 8782 residents in 343 neighborhoods in Chicago. A multilevel analyses was conducted showing that social class affected neighbors likelihood to respond to violence and other neighborhoods, thus establishing a link between criminal behavior, violence and other negative traits and social class. The purpose of the study was to confirm social scientists historical observations of increasing rates of violence across certain neighborhoods in the U.S., particularly among social class ranks. This establishes a continuing need to investigate low socioeconomic status and instability of individuals living in these neighborhoods to determine what actions can be taken to alleviate violence and criminal activity.

Poverty, Urbanization & Crime.

Researchers attempt to determine the components of crime, to reduce demographic and socioeconomic conditions of 840 cities to identify six independent factors contributing to high crime rates. The researchers look at six primary factors: affluence, stage in life cycle of city, economic specialization, policies on expenditures, poverty and urbanization. The researchers discover that social class (poverty and urbanization) are most likely to contribute to crime (or lack thereof). The only exception to this rule was found to be in the Southern part of the U.S. where the life cycle of the city was more of an influence on crime than poverty, because there was a lower standard of living than in other areas. In large cities poverty was an even greater influence on crime than in other cities.

Neighborhood characteristics and crime: A test of Sampson and Groves' model of social disorganization.

The researchers suggest that low socioeconomic status, disruption of families, high moving rates among residents as well as low local friendship networks and low participation in local organizations and unsupervised youth groups are likely to increase crime rates. The researcher's work is refers to the model of social "disorganization" that Sampson and Groves proposed in 1989. The data gathered from the study confirm that social disorganization does occur when neighborhood structure does not support better socioeconomic factors. Among the higher crime principles include assault and robbery. Interestingly the research also shows that even if there are community crime prevention efforts located in disadvantaged areas, they may not help to prevent crime because their may be low participation rates.

Extending social disorganization theory: Modeling the relationships between cohesion, disorder, and fear.

The researchers in this study examine neighborhoods using a British Crime Survey; the purpose of the study includes discovering the causes of social disorder which include the distinctions between various social classes. Among the issues that cause crime in lower social classes according to the researchers include lack of cohesion. After conducting the study, researchers find that while neighborhoods that work together to improve diversity and social networking or cohesion generally exhibit reduced crime rates, fear is generally a factor that increases crime rates particularly burglary. Fear is something that unanimously exists in areas where social disorder exists, and is more likely to exist in areas where low socioeconomic status is a factor. This suggests initiatives to reduce fear may be helpful in arresting crime rates in certain areas. Social cohesion which is a factor in arresting disorder, is less likely in neighborhoods where low socio-economic or low social class is exhibited.

Racial differences in exposure to crime: The city and suburbs of Cleveland in1990.

The researchers in this study examine whether minorities live in higher crime neighborhoods do so because of several reasons including whether they lack resources including class resources to live in better areas; or, whether racial differences have some influence on crime and choice of living related to social class. Some theorize that race is the sole factor influencing crime rates rather than socioeconomic factors. The study focuses on the Cleveland area in 1990. The researchers use multivariate model(s) in their estimation. The results seem to indicate that while socioeconomic factors are a predictor of exposure to violent crime, race is also a predictor, a strong one, of relevance or proximity to high violent crime rates.