Relationship between crime and disorder According to a study by Robert J. Sampson and Stephen Raudenbush, the premise on which the theory operates, that social disorder and crime are connected as part of a causal chain, is faulty. They argue that a third factor, collective efficacy, "defined as cohesion among residents combined with shared expectations for the social control of public space," is the cause of varying crime rates observed in an altered neighborhood environment. They also argue that the relationship between public disorder and crime rate is weak.
relaTionsHip between cRIme ANd disoRDEr AccORdIng to a study by robert J. saMpsoN aNd stephEn RaUDenBuSh, the pREmIsE ON whicH The theoRy OpeRates, That soCiaL dISorder and crImE are ConNeCted aS part Of a CAuSaL Chain, iS fAUltY. THey aRguE that a thIrd faCTor, collECtiVE EffIcAcy, "DefineD As cOhesiOn amOng ReSIDenTs comBinEd witH shareD eXpeCtATionS for ThE social cONtrol of pUblic sPaCE," Is THE cause of vaRying crime rates obServed iN An alteREd neigHBOrhood EnviRonmEnt. they also argue that the relaTionshIP bETweeN PUBLIc DiSOrdER and cRime Rate Is weak.