Introduction to criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Introduction to criminology - Essay Example Durkheim has regarded such a state of the society as anomie, anomie is a term used to refer to a society whose norms have failed and is experiencing a state of normlessness (Williams, 2012, p.341). This state is either experienced by the overall society or certain sections of the society. Anomie cannot be referred to as a cognitive state, rather it is a term used to refer to a particular property found within the social structure. The term is used to describe a society’s situation where an individual’s wants are not under the regulations and norms of the society and it further describes a society where the individual does not have any form of moral code of conduct to follow while they pursue their own aims and objectives. A society that has zero norms can never exist, but societies where the level of norms is either high or less do exist (Siegel, 2013, p.204). Durkheim even asserted that desire for wealth can lead to conditions which might be anomic in nature as this de sire makes an individual believe that in order to attain wealth, individuals have to depend on themselves, while state of poverty may restrict anomic conditions from taking place. Shaw and McKay were of the view that higher rate of crime was experienced in certain regions and the rate of crime in these areas remained quite stable for longer period of time and this indicated environment that is socially disordered and they recognized these areas as zone II or zones of transition (Vito, 2012, p.143). They stated that areas that experience social disorder may lead to events of criminal activities and activities that are anti-social. Both the researchers further conducted studies to identify the factors resulted in the creation of socially disordered area. According to them there were three main characteristics of environment that is socially disordered, these characteristics