What criminological approach focuses on delinquency as a result of social disorganization among lower-class youths?

The correct answer is rooted in the idea that social disorganization significantly influences delinquent behavior among lower-class youths. This approach posits that when communities lack strong social structures—such as family cohesion, education, and stable employment—individuals, particularly the youth, may engage in delinquent behaviors.

Social ecology, stemming from the Chicago School of sociology, examines the relationship between individuals and their environments. It suggests that the social environment can lead to increased crime rates when it becomes disorganized, often due to factors like poverty, urban decay, and lack of social institutions. This perspective emphasizes how external environmental factors, rather than individual traits or psychological issues, contribute to delinquency.

In contrast, the other approaches mentioned focus on different factors. Behavioral conditioning, for instance, looks at how behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment, while psychoanalytic theory delves into the unconscious motivations of individuals. Concentric zone theory, although related to urban sociology and crime, specifically addresses how crime rates correspond with the geographical layout of cities and is not exclusively focused on delinquency as influenced by social disorganization among lower-class youths. These distinctions clarify why social ecology is the most appropriate choice in this context.