Final answer:
The concept of collective efficacy, closely tied to social disorganization theory, suggests that crime rates are higher in communities with weak social ties and a lack of social control, as opposed to areas with high social capital where residents work collectively to address and prevent criminal behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The association between collective efficacy and crime is rooted in the concept of social disorganization theory. This theory posits that certain neighborhood characteristics, such as poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, and residential mobility, impede the ability of communities to maintain effective social control, which in turn allows for higher crime rates.
High social capital and trust in government, on the other hand, are associated with lower crime rates, as communities with more cohesive social networks are better at managing collective problems and preventing crime.
Analyses of crime data often reveal that neighborhoods with stable, wealthier, and more homogenous populations tend to exhibit lower crime rates due to a shared sense of right and wrong and a collective willingness to maintain social order.
Conversely, areas with high residential turnover, diverse and disconnected populations, and lower socioeconomic status demonstrate less collective efficacy, leading to higher rates of crime. Certain institutions or businesses, like payday lenders, can exacerbate crime rates in communities that already struggle with social disorganization.