RESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION AND DELINQUENCY A Test of Shaw and McKay's Theory of Cultural Transmission

Abstract

The impact of neighborhood cultural and institutional lye upon rates of delinquency among black male adolescents is examined. Focusing on three adjacent black neighborhoods at varying levels of black population change, this paper presents direct tests of three corollaries derived from a causal model adapted from Shaw and McKays cultural transmission theory of delinquency. The preliminary results are compatible with the model: the level of delinquency is higher in a racially changing than in two more racially stable neighborhoods. Otherfindings. however, fail to support the cultural transmission interpretation of these results. Contrary to Shaw and McKay, delinquency is lowest in the area where criminal influences are the most pronounced. This anomaly is discussed and interpreted in a manner consistent with De FIeur and Quinney's (1966) reformulation of di//erential association rheory. Robert E. Kapsis isAssistant Professor of Sociology at Queens College of the City University of New York. His current research interests are urban crime, the social psychology of underemployment. the effect of elhnicity onpolitical arritudes and behavior, ond rhe sociology of thearts.

The neighbourhood context of crime against international students

“…This perceived increase in foreign-born residents was viewed as key reason for the growing antagonism among the native-born community. In the broader literature, a substantial in-migration of new residents into already under-resourced area is likely to heighten social disorganisation and increase crime (Kapsis, 1978; Reid et al, 2005). It is also likely to enhance feelings of threat and heighten inter-group hostilities and violence (Green et al, 1998).…”