Social disorganization is a macro theory for various reasons. To understand this, it is essential to categorize how sociology scholars study society. There are two paradigms through which society is understood, macro and micro (Sociology, 2010). All social theories can be categorized as such. Social disorganization theory is categorized as a macro theory because of the nature of perspectives of macro theories.
Macro-theories anchor their arguments based on a comprehensive collective view of society being affected by environmental factors such as the economy, culture, and environment. Social disorganization theory acclaims poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods are breeding grounds for crime. More specifically, inhabitants of neighborhoods with diverse ethnicities, economically underprivileged members who live there temporarily have less compulsive control and tend towards criminal behavior (Wickes, 2016). From this perspective, then, social disorganization theory is a macro theory.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Social disorganization theory is different from micro-level theories due to its perspective. Sociologists view the same phenomenon from two different perspectives. Micro-theories focus on individual elements and how they contribute to the problem (Sociology, 2010). A good example is how a micro sociologist would view causes of crime. From their perspective, crime could result from individual decisions and thus the base of their explanations. On the contrary, social disorganization theory turns away from the individual and focuses on the environment as the source of explanations. Thus, the difference from micro-theories.
One example of a micro-level theory is utilitarianism. The theory assumes that people maximize their advantages at any moment to minimize their disadvantages (Sociology, 2010). Deductions from the theory could be used to explain certain decisions in crime-ridden communities. For one to commit a crime, it would be a decision to provide an economic need or protect themselves from lack.
Social disorganization theory is different from utilitarian theory. The former focuses on the environmental variables as causative agents in society, while the latter focuses on individual needs fueling decisions to commit criminal activities.
References
Wickes, R. (2016). Social disorganization Theory: Its history and relevance to crime prevention. Preventing Crime and Violence , 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44124-5_6
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World. (2010). https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/
