Social Ecology, Neighborhood Analysis and Policy Changes

Abstract

Trying to explain criminal behaviors, many criminologists point out the importance of the community-level factors influencing crime. Many researchers think that an offshoot, social ecology, sees society as a kind of organism and crime deviance as social pathology. Thus, the community and all levels of residents must be involved and focused in acting together as one, taking appropriate measures to prevent this social pathology. This study employed mixed methods, by using case of Austin neighborhood in Illinois, and evaluating social structure theories. The first part coined as description will touch some of social problems the disorganized society is facing with, as well as the importance of collective efficacy in addressing this social pathology. On the second part of this analysis, there is an evaluation of social pathology and collective efficacy.