Assingments % - Growth of Chicago and Differentiation of Local Areas from Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas, Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay

Reading Assignment 3
Social Disorganization and Collective Efficacy
Introduction, Tammy L. Anderson / https://www.researchgate.net/profile/T-Anderson-2/…
Introduction and Growth of Chicago and Differentiation of Local Areas from Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas, Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay /
Collective Efficacy Theory: Lessons Learned and Directions for Future Inquiry, Robert J. Sampson /
The Urban Ecology of Bias Crime: A Study of Disorganized and Defended Neighborhoods, Ryken Grattet /
Connections: The Prison Community from a Social Disorganization and Collective Efficacy Perspective, Lori Sexton, Critical Thinking Questions /
Deliverable Length: 2-3 pages (Each answer should be 1-1.5 pages long)
Answer two questions:
1. Shaw and McKay’s delinquency studies link the growth and differentiation of Chicago to social disorganization and crime rates in city neighborhoods. Summarize the various concentric zones of the map of Chicago as discussed on pp. 109-110. Which zone has the highest rates of crime/delinquency and why?
2. Discuss in detail Sampson’s concept of collective efficacy (pp. 128-129). Do you think collective efficacy adequately is an adequate explanation for lower crime rates in city neighborhoods? Why or why not?
3. Sexton attempts to apply the concepts of social disorganization and collective efficacy to the study of prisons as total institutions. Do you think her argument is convincing? Pay particular attention to her treatment of prison violence and collective efficacy as it relates to the community of transgender prisoners.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Writing an essay about social disorganization and collective efficacy can seem like a daunting task, but it’s much easier when you break it down into manageable steps. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure your paper is structured, insightful, and well-supported by evidence from the readings. Let’s dive right into it!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

You are tasked with answering two of the three critical thinking questions based on the readings provided. Here’s the breakdown:

Question 1: Summarize Shaw and McKay’s concept of concentric zones and explain which zone has the highest crime/delinquency rates and why.
Question 2: Discuss Sampson’s concept of collective efficacy and evaluate if it’s an adequate explanation for lower crime rates.
Question 3: Discuss Sexton’s application of social disorganization and collective efficacy to the study of prisons, focusing on violence and transgender prisoners.

Each of your answers should be between 1-1.5 pages long, making your total paper 2-3 pages.

Step 2: Brainstorm Your Answers

Start by reviewing the specific pages referenced in the readings. Focus on the key concepts that need to be addressed in your responses. Below are some brainstorming tips for each question.

Question 1:
- Review Shaw and McKay’s theory of social disorganization and their map of Chicago’s concentric zones.
- Identify the key zones: central business district, transition zone, working-class zone, residential zone, and commuter zone.
- Analyze which zone has the highest crime rates and explain why it is so.
Question 2:
- Review Sampson’s concept of collective efficacy on pages 128-129.
- Think about how social cohesion and shared expectations for social control help prevent crime.
- Consider whether this idea fits well in explaining crime rates in neighborhoods.
Question 3:
- Review Sexton’s arguments, especially how she applies social disorganization and collective efficacy to prisons.
- Pay close attention to how she discusses prison violence and transgender prisoners.
- Think critically about whether her argument is convincing and whether the prison setting can be explained through these sociological concepts.

Step 3: Develop a Thesis Statement

Each of your answers should have a clear thesis statement that directly addresses the question. For example:

For Question 1: “Shaw and McKay’s concept of concentric zones reveals that the transition zone in Chicago had the highest crime rates due to its social disorganization, characterized by poverty, migration, and a lack of community control.”
For Question 2: “Sampson’s concept of collective efficacy provides a compelling explanation for lower crime rates in city neighborhoods by emphasizing the importance of social cohesion and mutual trust, though it may not fully account for all crime-reduction factors.”
For Question 3: “Sexton’s argument that social disorganization and collective efficacy apply to prisons is thought-provoking, but it requires further consideration of how institutional power dynamics affect collective behavior, especially regarding transgender prisoners.”

Step 4: Create an Outline

Outlining your responses will help organize your thoughts. Here’s a simple structure to follow for each answer:

Introduction
- Briefly introduce the theory or concept discussed in the question.
- Include your thesis statement that directly answers the question.
Body
- Summarize the key ideas or theories (e.g., Shaw and McKay’s concentric zones, Sampson’s collective efficacy, or Sexton’s application of theories to prisons).
- Provide evidence and examples from the readings to support your argument.
- Analyze the effectiveness of the concept in explaining crime or prison dynamics.
Conclusion
- Recap the key points you made.
- Provide your final evaluation (e.g., whether the theory adequately explains the phenomenon discussed).

Step 5: Write the Essay

With your outline in hand, start writing your response for each question:

Question 1: Discuss the concentric zones and their relationship to crime. Explain which zone has the highest crime rates and why. Use examples from the readings.
Question 2: Discuss collective efficacy, its meaning, and how it relates to crime rates. Evaluate whether it is a strong enough explanation for lower crime rates in neighborhoods.
Question 3: Discuss Sexton’s argument and evaluate whether her application of social disorganization and collective efficacy to prison settings is convincing. Focus on her treatment of prison violence and transgender prisoners.

Step 6: Review and Revise

Once you’ve written your responses, review your work carefully:

Check clarity: Are your arguments clear? Does each paragraph address the question directly?
Evidence and citations: Have you provided enough evidence from the readings to support your arguments? Make sure to cite the texts properly.
Grammar and spelling: Correct any errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.

Step 7: Final Touches

After revising, read through your paper one final time to ensure it’s well-organized and addresses each question thoughtfully. Make sure your total length is within the required range (2-3 pages).

Conclusion

By following this guide, you should now feel confident about approaching the assignment. Breaking down the questions, outlining your answers, and supporting your arguments with evidence from the readings will help you write a strong, structured paper. Don’t forget to cite the text and stay focused on answering each question thoroughly.