17240. The Social Disorganization Theory of Crime. This paper considers the “Chicago School” of criminology and its view that crime is caused by a breakdown of social controls in certain types of communities. Topics include urban zones, the weakening of social institutions, racial prejudice, social isolation, and the concept of collective efficacy. Keywords: crime theory Sutherland Chicago social problems delinquency. 5 pages; 8 footnotes; 5 bibliographic sources. 1,102 words.