Psychological Theories - Research Paper Example

This theory is based on the precept that mutual dependence is a vital fact in the development of a person’s character. It points to the fact that no single citizen of any community can function as a contributing member of society through his or her own effort but requires the support of established systems in the society as well as the encouragement of family and friends. This theory, which is rooted in the association between a person and his or her environment, seeks to affirm that all communities are formed through the interdependence that exists between citizens and the local government and other establishments that work to better the community.

When these diverse associations are working well, then the levels of crime within any given community will be negligible. When different institutions in society such as the law enforcement authorities, the churches, schools, businesses and other associations are working together, they are able to collectively prevent the rise of crime in their society. The social disorganisation theory was first developed in Chicago, where the communities were divided into five zones that were then studied separately.

The crime-riddled regions were identified through the “concentric zone model” (Miller, Shreck and Tewksbury, 2006). . In the transitional zone, most of the homes were dilapidated and only poor citizens made homes there because they had few options to choose from. The more well-heeled members of society had the means to live in areas that had better roads, no environmental degradation and low crime rates and so opted for other residential areas rather than the transitional zone. The transitional zone is populated by people who are accustomed to living in poverty and have no social institutions to help them improve their lives.

Essentially, most researchers use the transitional zone in many cities to study the relevance of the social disorganisation theory (Miller, Shreck and Tewksbury, 2006). The remaining three zones become progressively more habitable, with zone III, which is mostly populated by the working class, being the land in which the poor of the transitional zone aspire to reach. Though the occupants of zone III are not much more wealthy than the poor in zone II, they maintain their residences far much more and also esteem relationships within the organisation that hold up the law.

Zone IV, which is the residential zone, has a more established population, most of whom are considered to be in the middle class. Their living conditions are much different from those of the zones II and III and they have establishments within society that allow them to preserve law and order. Zone V, the outermost zone, is populated by wealthy members of society who have the means to protect and sustain their lifestyles in their neighbourhoods while also keeping out undesired elements of society (Miller, Shreckand Tewksbury, 2006).

According to the social disorganisation theory, the transitional zone, also known as zone II, has the greatest crime rate among