Which term describes the breakdown of social institutions in a community that can lead to higher crime rates?

• A. Anomie
• B. Routine activities
• C. Social learning
• D. Social disorganization

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is how a community’s social structure affects crime levels. Social disorganization describes a situation where the breakdown or weakening of neighborhood institutions—like families, schools, religious groups, and local organizations—reduces informal social controls and shared norms. When these supports crumble, residents have less guidance, supervision, and collective efficacy to deter crime, so crime rates tend to rise.

This term fits best because it focuses on the community-wide structure and its ability to regulate behavior, rather than on changes in norms alone, opportunities for crime, or learned behavior. Anomie refers to a broader normlessness from rapid social change, routine activities center on crime opportunities rather than institutional breakdown, and social learning emphasizes how behavior is learned from others rather than the health of community institutions.