Positive Correlation

A positive correlation might be found between variables such as drug use and violence in neighborhoods: Since drug markets often fuel violence, it would be expected that neighborhoods with high levels of drug activity would be more likely to also display elevated rates of violent crime (i.e., as drug activity increases, so does violence). A negative correlation would be anticipated between the amount of collective efficacy in an area and the crime rate. Researchers have found that neighborhoods where residents know one another and are willing to take action to protect their areas from disorderly conditions have lower crime rates. Higher rates of collective efficacy should correspond to lower crime rates because of collective efficacy’s protective capacity.