3.2-evaluate sociological theories of crime

2 strengths of Marxism?

-based on truth (poor people are statistically more likely to commit crime).

-highlights selective law enforcement.

2 weaknesses of Marxism?

-ignores additional factors like race.

-exaggerates crime in working class communities

2 strengths of functionalism?

-first to recognise crime as positive

-The idea of society of saints is true

2 weaknesses of functionalism?

-doesn’t explain deviance

-not helpful for victims

2 strengths of labeling theory?

-shows how law enforcement is discriminatory

-highlights role of media

2 weaknesses of labeling theory?

-fails to explain why people are deviant in the first place.

-not everyone becomes criminal due to a self fulfilling prophecy.

2 strengths of right realism?

-more practical solution

-research supports correlation between single mother and criminality

2 weaknesses of right realism?

-ignores structural cause of crime.

-ignores relative deprivation

2 strengths of left realism?

-recognises multiple causes of crime.

-doesn’t glorify or attack the police

2 weaknesses of left realism?

-doesn’t explain WCC

-doesn’t explain why not everyone in relative deprivation turns to crime