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Evaluate the effectiveness of sociological theories to explain causes of…
Evaluate the effectiveness of sociological theories to explain causes of crime
Functionalism (1) Durkheim
strengths
crime has positive functions for society i.e. reinforcing boundaries
limitations
doesn't explain what the right level of crime is to make society function
crime is not functional for the victims of it
Functionalism (2) Merton
strengths
show how both criminal and deviant behaviour arises from the same goal
explains pattern in official statistics - property crime because society values wealth.
limitations
ignores crimes of the wealthy and over-predicts working class crime
sees deviance as an individual response ignoring subculture or group deviance
focuses on utilitarian crime
Subcultural theories
strengths
how subcultures perform a function for its members to achieve goals legitimately
Cloward + Ohlin - different neighbourhoods give rise to different illegitimate opportunities
weaknesses
assumes everyone has a mainstream goal and turns to subculture when they can't achieve it. may be attracted to crime for other reasons
subcultures arent as clear and some show characteristics of all three
ignore crimes of the wealthy and over-predict working class crime
Interactionism and labelling theory
strengths
signifies how the police have stereotypes of the 'typical criminal'
attempts to control deviance can result in a deviancy amplification spiral
laws are not a fixed set of rules, but a construction that needs to be explained
weakness
wrongly implies once labelled a criminal career is inevitable
gives offenders a 'victims' status
fails to explain why people commit primary deviance
doesn't explain where the power to label comes from
fails to explain why labels are applied to certain groups
The Marxist view of crime and law
strengths
shows that the rules are created by the upper class
poverty and inequality causes working class crime and how capitalism promotes greed and encourages upper class crime
law making and law enforcement are biased
limitations
over-predicts working class crime
ignores crimes and other inequalities
not all capitalist societies have high crime rates
Right Realism
strengths
studies support RCT
Feldman - people made rational decisions on risks and rewards
Bennet + Wright - interviewed burgulars, they considered risks and rewards
may explain some opportunistic and petty crimes
limitations
Feldman - was an experiment, may not apply to real life
Bennet + Wright - studied unsuccessful burgulars
not all crimes are result of RC. Some crimes are impulsive... intoxication
Left realism
strengths
importance of poverty, inequality and relative deprivation
attention to reality of street crime and effects
weaknesses
Henry + Milovanovic - accepts authorities definition of crime. fails to explain WCC and corporate crime. ignore harm done to the poor by the powerful.
over-predicts working class crime
focus on city crime - unrepresentative and makes it appear a greater problem
Surveillance theories
strengths
surveillance and disciplinary power
other forms of surveillance - actuarial justice and profiling
limitations
exaggerates extent of control
may not change people's behaviour.
General criticisms of sociological theories
the underlying cause - disagree about the cause of crime
over-prediction - don't explain why not every individual who is deprived or has blocked opportunities turn to crime
biological and psychological factors - lack factors of why an individual may commit crime while another person in the same position doesn't.