CMY3701 Assignment 1
Semester 2 2024
(575656) - DUE 12 August
2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
[Company address]
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, CMY3701 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2024 (575656) - DUE 12 August
2024
SECTION A
1.1. Give a detailed discussion of Shaw and McKay’s (1942) social
disorganisation theory against the background of scientific literature and
the newspaper article above. (15)
Shaw and McKay's Social Disorganization Theory (1942): A Detailed
Discussion
Introduction
Social Disorganization Theory, formulated by Clifford Shaw and Henry
McKay in 1942, is a foundational concept in criminology. The theory posits
that crime is largely a product of an individual's environment, particularly in
urban areas. It suggests that certain neighborhood characteristics
contribute to higher crime rates, independent of the personal characteristics
of individuals living in those areas.
Core Components of the Theory
1. Neighborhood Characteristics:
o Shaw and McKay identified three primary structural factors that
contribute to social disorganization: socioeconomic status,
residential mobility, and ethnic heterogeneity.
o Socioeconomic Status: Neighborhoods characterized by
poverty often have limited access to resources, which can
contribute to a lack of social cohesion and control.
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