what are the two central questions in ut=rban behavior studies?
- what are the geographies of crime and deviant behavior in cities?
- how can we best explain these patterns?
what does deviant subgroups mean?
a group within society that has norms substantially different from those of the majority of the population
where does the study of deviant behavior focus on?
drug addiction, delinquency, gang violence, and suicide, linked to spatial patterns
how to explain these different patterns?
different approaches that are linked to different disciplines
what is deviant behavior a product of?
adaptive bahavior or maladjustment of city life, or to certain parts of the city
psychological overload
- different roles and identities may lead to unconventional bahavior
- impersonality and aloofness
- weaking of social support and constraints, and confusion of behavioral norms
what does jane jacobs say about density?
density is not a problem, but a solution to crime:
- empty streets make people feel unsafe, anxious and alone
- crowded streets make people feel more safe and
- side walk ballet
- eyes on the street
what does oscar newman say about the negative effects of the built environment on peoples behavior?
- petty crime and vandalism related to weaking community life and lack of social control
- inability of residents to identify with the space in their neighborhood
- new housing developments create defenseless space
what is the meaning of alienation?
the state of experience of being alienated (=experiencing or inducing feelings of isolation or estrangement)
how do people feel alienated?
- loss of control over labor power, housing, area of residence, etc
- feelings of powerlessness, dissatification and distrust
how is alienation related to marxist theory?
people have no control over the social, political and economic system
what is the result of alienation?
- indifference
- activism through violence and terrorism
what are the two assumptions of the subcultural theory?
- distinctive social worlds based on ethnicity, kinship, neighborhood or lifestyle produce certain forms of behavior
- these subcultures will be intensified by the conflict and competition of urban life
what is the result of the subcultural theory?
social norms of subcultures will be intensified by the conflict and competition of urban life
why is it so difficult to come to an overarching explanation?
different theories
what is the solution to make it less difficult to come to an overarching explanation?
- multifactor analysis
- empirical study of spatial variation in crime and delinquency
what are the difficulties from the solution to make in less difficult to come to an overarching explanation?
- quality of the data
- focus on ecological approach (variation in crime between territorial groups) may lead to biases against individuals
what is the pattern of occurrence of crime?
- most cities have distinctive areas where the occurrence of crime is well above the average
- spatial patterns of occurrence vary by type of offence
- peak years for offence rates are teens and early 20s
- opportunity for crime leads to higher levels of occurence of crime
what are the patterns of residence of offenders?
- low rates in suburbs
- high rates in the inner city
- social housing areas
