Social Disorganization and Victimization in Brazil: Investigating Collective Efficacy using the Brazilian National Victimization Survey

• In Event: Communities in Context: The Social Organization of Neighborhoods

Abstract

The article investigates the application of the Robert Sampson's concept of collective efficacy through quantitative analysis of data from the first Brazilian National Victimization Survey (PNV). Structured in two stages, the study initially examined the effects of different indicators of Collective Efficacy on the chances of victimization in the neighborhood for crimes against property (theft or robbery) and against person (simple or aggravated assault). In the second part, the object of interest were the relationship between the dimensions that are part of that concept. The results of hierarchical logistic regression models indicate a negative association between the dimension of social cohesion and the chances of victimization for crimes against person, while the informal social control was positively associated with higher victimization by theft or robbery. In the second stage, which investigated the association between social cohesion indicators and social control reports, the main finding was the quadratic relationship established between them, which reinforces the hypothesis that those dimensions, considered in theory as complementary factors in the constitution of an effective community can acquire specific patterns of distribution.

Authors

• Valéria Cristina de Oliveira, Federal University of Minas Gerais

• Corinne Davis Rodrigues, Federal University of Minas Gerais