Division of labor, anomie, and crime rates: a test of a Durkheimian model

Two models of a Durkheimian explanation of crime rates were subjected to empirical test. One is the static model which posits that in a more complex society the crime rate ought to be higher. This proposition is based on the assumption that in more complex or organic societies the probability of anomie is greater which is reflected in the rate of crime. The research proposition of this model is that there is a direct relationship between the joint effects of the level of population size, population density, urbanization, the division of labor and the rate of crime. The other model, the change model, is concerned with how the transformation of societies influence social behavior. This model is based on the proposition that crime is more likely in those societies or communities in which a greater degree of structural change from mechanical to organic solidarity occurs. The basic research proposition of this model is that there is a direct relationship between the combined action of change in population size; population density, urbanization, the division of labor, and change in the rate of crime. Data concerning crime rates were provided by the Uniform Crime Reports Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and data concerning the independent variables were obtained from the United states Census Bureau volumes. The basic unit of analysis is the county, chosen largely because it encompasses both rural and urban dimensions of a society. Counties were selected according to the availability of the crime rate data. The total number of counties selected in this manner is 300. The basic statistical procedure used is multiple regression analysis. Finite first difference equations were used in testing the change model. The propositions were tested for four time periods: 1940, 1950, 1960, and 1910. The results indicate that the rate of property-theft offenses (i.e., auto theft, robbery, grand larceny) are best predicted by both static and change models. Both models also are most effective in predicting these rates of crime in the more urban counties. The indication, thus, is that the probability of anomie is greater in the more complex (i.e., organic) communities than in the less complex ones (i.e., mechanical). The main factors in the static model in predicting the crime rates are urbanization, population size, and population density, while in the change model population size and population density predominate. The division of labor has very little influence in either model. It is suggested that the models are only supported in part and that a reformulation of a Durkheimian explanation of crime rates is in order. This modification centers on the components of urban life which are more likely to foster an increase in crime. Communities which are smaller and less dense, homogeneous, and mechanical-based are apparently more solidary and as a result have a lower crime rate. It is proposed that this social solidarity is often eroded when such a community experiences an economic and industrial transition.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Department dc:contributor.department

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1977

Author dc:creator

• Willis, Cecil L.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07082010-020313

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38725