Among criminological concepts explaining the nature of people’s unlawful actions, the social disorganization theory occupies a significant place. According to Cullen, Agnew, and Wilcox (2017), this term describes the emergence of crime as a logical factor, which is manifested in those communities that are unstable or disorganized. Behavioral aspects are the main criteria that determine the essence of this concept.
As Lynch and Boggess (2016) note, “social disorganization impedes the formation of common goals among residents,” and this reason prevents them from controlling their actions (p. 19). As a result, people commit crimes based on personal bias, beliefs, and aggression.
When considering the application of this theory to the current situation, it finds its manifestation in some scandalous criminal cases. As an example, a resonance incident that occurred in New York a few days ago may be cited. According to Pager (2019), the police arrested a 37-year-old transgender African American woman who attacked people with her pepper spray. The author of the article notes that the main motive for the aggression was the racist views of the accused who deliberately chose white citizens (Pager, 2019).
While evaluating this crime from a theoretical point of view, using the aforementioned social disorganization theory may be justified. Barkan and Rocque (2018) argue that racism is one of the most common causes of crime on American streets. Class and social inequalities lead to bitterness and deviant behavior, which is manifested in aggression towards one another. Some people do not have clear life goals and priorities, preferring to criticize others and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with both passive and active methods. Therefore, the theory in question may be applicable to this case.
References
Barkan, S. E., & Rocque, M. (2018). Socioeconomic status and racism as fundamental causes of street criminality. Critical Criminology, 26(2), 211-231.
Cullen, F. T., Agnew, R., & Wilcox, P. (2017). Criminological theory: Past to present: Essential readings (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Lynch, M. J., & Boggess, L. N. (2016). A radical grounding for social disorganization theory: A political economic investigation of the causes of poverty, inequality and crime in urban areas. Radical Criminology, (6), 11-69.
Pager, T. (2019). She said she hated white people. Then she attacked with pepper spray. The New York Times. Web.