Another Structural functional school of thought theory of crime is collective efficacy theory. Strain theory explains why some people are more likely to commit crimes than others. Whereas, collective efficacy theory explains why some neighborhoods have more crime rate compare to others. In sociology collective efficacy refers to, the capability of individuals living in a community; to control the deviant behavior of individuals in the community. Controlling the deviant behavior of the members contribute in maintaining the safe environment in the community. Structural functionalist believe that, collective efficacy in community decrease the crime rate in the neighborhood. Those neighborhoods whose members are willing to participate in preventing crimes, have less crime rates than those which do not participate in preventing crimes.
Collective efficacy is dependent upon the shared values of individuals living in a community. If members of community have shared values to prevent crimes and willing to cooperate with one another, to fight the violence and crimes are more likely to create safe environment in the community.
From sociological perspective, collective efficacy is informal norms which control the deviant behavior of the members of community. Practicing of such informal norms on the daily basis leads to prevent delinquent behavior in a community. In order to develop a collective efficacy, members of community should have unity and trust. Without solidarity and cooperation it is impossible for a community members to prevent crimes.
