4.1 Deviance and Social Disorganisation

Unit III: Consequences of Social Disorganisation Dr.
Afaq Ahmad
B.A (Hons) FYUP – II Semester
Course Category: Generic Elective
4.1: Deviance and Social Disorganisation
Deviance is universal and normal. It exists in all societies (folk-urban or traditional-

modem) wherever people interact and live in group. The notion of ‘deviance’ or
‘deviant’, as we shall see, is actually not easy to define. It meant different things to
different people. Generally, it is defined as any ‘failure to conform to the customary
norms of the society’.
According to Wickman, ‘deviance is behaviour that violates the standards of conduct

or expectations of a group or society’. Being late for class is categorized as a deviant
act; the same is true of dressings gorgeously for a funeral ceremony.
Anthoney Giddens defined it, ‘as non-conformity to a given set of norms that are
accepted by a significant number of people in a community or society’.
Sociologist Howard Becker did not accept the above conception of deviance and
deviants. He asserted that it is society who labels deviants. According to him, ‘deviant
behaviour is behaviour that people so label’.
Émile Durkheim: The Functional Nature of Deviance
Émile Durkheim believed that deviance is a necessary part of a successful society.

One way deviance is functional, he argued, is that it challenges people’s present
views (1893). For instance, when black students across the United States participated
in sit-ins during the civil rights movement, they challenged society’s notions of
segregation. Moreover, Durkheim noted, when deviance is punished, it reaffirms

currently held social norms, which also contributes to society (1893). Seeing a
student given detention for skipping class reminds other high scholars that playing
hooky isn’t allowed and that they, too, could get detention.
Social Disorganization Theory
Developed by researchers at the University of Chicago in the 1920s and 1930s, social
disorganization theory asserts that crime is most likely to occur in communities/
social structures with weak social ties, community sentiments and the absence of
social control. An individual who grows up in a poor neighborhood with high rates of
drug use, violence, teenage delinquency, and deprived parenting is more likely to
become a criminal than an individual from a wealthy neighborhood with a good

school system and families who are involved positively in the community.
The theory initially compared Social disorganization theory, or more specifically, a
problematic societal structure to a diseased organism that was contrary to overall

functioning within societal norms. The theory asserts that racial diversity, inequalities,
housing instability, increased transition and economic opportunities, among other

factors in social disorganization will increase the probability of crime in these social
structures.
Therefore, at the core of Social disorganization theory emphasise the influence of
social factors as the cause of deviance. A person isn’t born a criminal but becomes
one over time, often based on factors in his or her social environment. According to
this theory, social factors which contribute to the deviance or deviant behaviour of
individuals include:
 Residential Mobility: High rates of residential turnover disrupt social
networks and weaken community cohesion, making it difficult to establish and

maintain social bonds.
 Poverty and Economic Disparities: Socioeconomic deprivation creates stress

and strains on individuals and families, leading to increased likelihood of
deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative means of achieving their goals.

 Ethnic Heterogeneity: Diversity within a community can lead to social
fragmentation and inhibit the development of shared norms and values,

further undermining social cohesion.
 Institutional Anomie: Weak institutional support and inadequate social

services contribute to the breakdown of social control mechanisms, leaving
individuals vulnerable to deviant behavior.
Implications for Understanding Deviance:
Social disorganization theory offers valuable insights into the etiology of deviance
and crime. By focusing on the social context in which individuals reside, this theory
highlights the importance of addressing underlying structural factors that contribute

to social disorganization. Several implications emerge from this perspective
 Community-Level Interventions: Efforts to reduce deviance should prioritize

community-level interventions aimed at strengthening social bonds and
rebuilding social infrastructure. This may involve investment in social services,

community development initiatives, and crime prevention programs.
 Targeted Policies: Policies aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, and

residential instability can help mitigate the risk factors associated with social
disorganization and reduce rates of deviant behavior.
 Empowerment and Inclusion: Promoting social inclusion and empowering
marginalized communities can foster a sense of belonging and social

cohesion, thereby reducing the prevalence of deviance.
 Collaborative Approaches: Addressing social disorganization requires a

collaborative approach involving government agencies, community
organizations, and residents themselves. By working together, stakeholders

can develop comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of deviance
and promote community well-being.

Conclusion:
Social disorganization theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the
complex interplay between social structure, community dynamics, and deviant

behavior. By examining the underlying social context in which deviance occurs, this
theory highlights the importance of addressing structural inequalities and

strengthening social bonds within communities. Moving forward, efforts to reduce
deviance should prioritize community-level interventions, targeted policies, and

collaborative approaches that address the root causes of social disorganization and
promote social cohesion and inclusion. Through these efforts, society can work
towards creating safer, more resilient communities for all individuals.

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Unit III: Consequences of Social Disorganisation Dr.

4.1: Deviance and Social Disorganisation

Deviance is universal and normal. It exists in all societies (folk-urban or traditional-

norms of the society’.

According to Wickman, ‘deviance is behaviour that violates the standards of conduct

act; the same is true of dressings gorgeously for a funeral ceremony.

behaviour is behaviour that people so label’.

Émile Durkheim: The Functional Nature of Deviance

Émile Durkheim believed that deviance is a necessary part of a successful society.

segregation. Moreover, Durkheim noted, when deviance is punished, it reaffirms

become a criminal than an individual from a wealthy neighborhood with a good

The theory initially compared Social disorganization theory, or more specifically, a

problematic societal structure to a diseased organism that was contrary to overall

housing instability, increased transition and economic opportunities, among other

Therefore, at the core of Social disorganization theory emphasise the influence of

 Residential Mobility: High rates of residential turnover disrupt social

networks and weaken community cohesion, making it difficult to establish and

 Poverty and Economic Disparities: Socioeconomic deprivation creates stress

deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative means of achieving their goals.

fragmentation and inhibit the development of shared norms and values,

 Institutional Anomie: Weak institutional support and inadequate social

individuals vulnerable to deviant behavior.

Implications for Understanding Deviance:

highlights the importance of addressing underlying structural factors that contribute

 Community-Level Interventions: Efforts to reduce deviance should prioritize

rebuilding social infrastructure. This may involve investment in social services,

 Targeted Policies: Policies aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, and

marginalized communities can foster a sense of belonging and social

 Collaborative Approaches: Addressing social disorganization requires a

organizations, and residents themselves. By working together, stakeholders

and promote community well-being.

Social disorganization theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the

complex interplay between social structure, community dynamics, and deviant

theory highlights the importance of addressing structural inequalities and

deviance should prioritize community-level interventions, targeted policies, and

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