Second, the population composition was also different. The zone in transition had higher concentrations 
of foreign-born and African-American heads of families. It also had a transient population. Third, the 
transitional zone had socioeconomic differences with the highest rates of welfare, lowest median rent, the 
lowest percentage of family-owned houses. Interrelated, the zone also had the highest rates of infant deaths, 
tuberculosis, and mental illness. 
Shaw and McKay believed the zone in transition led to social disorganization. Social disorganization is 
the inability of social institutions to control an individual’s behavior. Since the zone in transition had people 
moving in and moving out at such high rates, social institutions (like family, school, religion, government, 
economy) and members could no longer agree on essential norms and values. As earlier stated, many 
residents were foreign. Thus, speaking different languages and having different religious beliefs may have 
prevented neighbors from talking to one another and solidifying community bonds. Overall, Shaw and 
McKay were two of the first theorists to put forth the premise that community characteristics matter when 
discussing criminal behavior. 
Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System
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