Many of the theories and perspectives we have today in criminology and sociology derive from the infamous sociology department, otherwise known as the “Chicago School”. His emphasis on the study of people and the natural interactions they have with their surroundings has led to the in-depth examination of numerous Chicago neighborhoods. Social disorganization theory was one of many theories developed from this ecological thinking. He sought to identify social problems resulting from rapid urbanization and industrialization. This article will detail the elements associated with social disorganization theory, as well as evidence supporting its validity and generalizability. Social disorganization theory originally stemmed from WI Thomas and Florian Znaniecki in their book titled The Polish Peasant in Europe and America, in which they chronicled the adaptations of Polish immigrants during the transition from Europe to the urban neighborhoods of Chicago (Cartwright, 2013). This coincided with the increase in the city's population, which also grew exponentially in size due to immigrants from Europe, Southern African Americans, and rural farmers (Cartwright, 2011, 76). The sudden influx of people created numerous new problems, mainly due to overcrowding and lack of economic resources on the part of various migrant groups which led to an increase in crime. Park and Burgess also emerged in this period with the concentric zone theory. It is hypothesized that the city of Chicago grew in areas surrounded by rings, which would continue to expand outward to accommodate the expansion. The business district would be located in the center of the city where the industrial and commercial buildings are located. Central... half the map... various counties. The counties sampled consisted primarily of smaller towns and cities with populations of less than 50,000 (Osgood & Chambers, 2000, p. 90). Their findings revealed that the theory had great generalizability to rural communities, where juvenile arrest rates were significantly related to the proposed factors. However, their research also showed that poverty and residential instability were negatively correlated. This would go against the claim that poverty leads to social disorganization in traditional theory (Osgood & Chambers, 2000, p. 103). The studies of Sampson and Groves, Bursik and Grasmick, and Osgood and Chambers all helped expand social disorganization theory. Their individual studies provided empirical support for the original theory and solidified its status as a valid and relevant explanation for crime and deviance...