MODULE 6

Lesson’s Objective:
1. Discuss sociological theory
2. Explain the concentric zone theory model of Burgess
3. Discuss anomie theory of Durkheim.

THEORY OF CRIME CAUSATION: SOCIOLOGICAL

THEORY

The sociological approach theorize that crime is shaped by factors external to the individual:
their experiences within the neighborhood, the peer group and the family. It means that the society
“construct” criminality. It attempts to connect the issues of individual’s criminality with the broader
social structures and cultural values of society, familial, or peer group.

What are the social conditions responsible for criminality?

a. Broken families
b. Poor parenting
c. Low quality educational experiences
d. Poverty
e. Lack of equal economic opportunity
f. Inadequate socialization

What are the sociological theories?

Ernest Watson Burgess (1886 – 1966)

Was an American Sociologist.

- He collaborated with sociologist Robert Ezra Park and
came out with Introduction to the Science of
Sociology, which became one of the most influential
sociology book, even referred as the “Bible of
Sociology”.
- Burgess is an advocate of the Social Disorganization
Theory – which link crime rates to neighborhood
ecological characteristics, youths from disadvantaged
neighborhoods were participants in a subculture in
which delinquency was approved behavior and that
criminality was acquired in social and cultural settings
through a process of interaction – that place
matters.
- Together with Park, Burgess also developed the
Concentric Zone Theory – argued that neighborhood conditions, be the wealth or poverty,
had a much greater determinant effect on criminal behavior than ethnicity, race, or religion.

The concentric zone model, also known as the Burgess

model or the CCD model, is one of the earliest theoretical
models to explain urban social structures.

Key (from outside to inside)

Commuter zone (outer ring)
   Residential zone
 Working class zone
  Zone of transition
   Factory zone
   Central business district (center)

 Working from the outer zone inward, Zone V was titled the Commuters Zone.  This zone
was described by Burgess as being inhabited by those that could afford the more expensive
“bungalows” common to this zone as well as transportation to the inner city for
entertainment and work (Burgess, 1928). 

 Zone IV, the Residential Zone, was described to be inhabited by well-educated, middle
class families.
 
 The third zone, the zone of the Workmen’s Homes, is generally inhabited by those that can
afford to move beyond the inner-most city limits, second generations of immigrant families
(Lersch, 2011).  Burgess describes Zone III as being close enough to the inner zones as
workers can reach workplaces by foot (1928). 

 Zone II, the Zone in Transition, is known as “the least desirable area to live in the city”
(Lersch, 2011).  This area can be described as the melting pot of poor, immigrant, destitute,
and criminal (Burgess, 1928).  Ignored by residents and landlords, these areas are distinct in
their dilapidated housing and infrastructure (Lersch, 2011).  Drugs, prostitution, gang
activity, and general economic misery are all prominent within the second zone. 

 The innermost zone, The Loop, is a business and commerce heavy area that is commuted to
by inhabitants of the other four zones. 

Characteristics of communities where crime is more likely to happen:

1. Economically deprived
2. Large in size
3. High in multiunit housing like apartments
4. High in residential mobility (people frequently move into and out of the community)
5. High in family disruption (high rates of divorce, single parent families).
 David Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917)

 He was a French sociologist, born in France in

1858.
 In the field of criminology, he was famous for his
work on the “Anomie Theory “.

Anomie Theory – focused on the sociological point of the

positivist school which explains that the absence of norms in a
society provides a setting conductive to crimes and other anti-
social acts.

 Durkheim used the term anomie to describe the

lack of social regulation in modern societies as one
manner that could elevate higher suicide rates.
 This also refers to a psychological state of confusion
caused by rapidly changing industrial evolution and
accompanying social dislocation and the effect this change to people.
 This state is popularly conceptualized as “normlessness” – it is a feeling, an attitude, a
psychological perspective that causes those who experience is to feel confused,
frustrated, annoyed angry, hostile, embarrassed and even resigned or doomed.
 He contended that those who feel this way may attempt to relieve themselves by
committing deviant acts while others may resort to an extreme aggravated resolution
and commit suicide.

Durkheim proposed the following principles:

1. Crime is a natural thing in the society

2. The concept of wrong is necessary to give meaning to right
3. Crime helps society for changes – it means that a society to be flexible to permit positive
deviation must permit negative deviations as well.