Socialogical Flashcards
Name a sociological theory of crime
Functionalism - Durkheim
Marxism - Marx
Strain theory - Merton
Interactionlism - Howard Becker
Left realism - Lea+ young
Right realism
Define functionalism ( with features)
-crime serves as a function for society
- crime is inevitable
- prevent reoffending not the offending
- boundary maintenance
-pressure valve
- warning light
Strengths and weaknesses of functionalism
Strengths - they acknowledge crime can’t be stopped , helps appreciate criminals as members of society
Limitations - crime doesn’t serve a function for victims , don’t say amount of crime society ‘needs’
Describe strain theory
Goals set by society of people can’t reach said goal it puts a strain on their life ( American dream )
Strengths and weaknesses of the strain theory
Strength - helps understand deviance behind crime , has evidence to back it up
Define Marxism
Capitalism is the main cause of crime
Believes laws protect the ruling classes ( judges , lead to stereotyping)
Lower class crime is seen as an understanding response
Marxism strength and limitations
Strengths - shows law is biased / explains both social classes
Limitations - focuses on money driven crime ie white collar , doesn’t account for gender or ethnicity only class , some cap societies have low crime rates
Define interactionlism
Create society through shared interaction with eachother
Everyone who comits a crime isn’t criminal until labels one
Self fulfilling prophecy
95% of incarcerated people don’t reoffend
Forms subcultures
Strengths and limitations of interactionlism
S- shows value of stereotyping in society of criminality , shows how media can provoke deviance
L- doesn’t account for those who commit crime before labels , doesn’t explain why labels are applied to certain groups
Benefits of left realism
Crime is a growing problem and social policies can lower crime rate
Crime down to relative deprivation
Marginalised groups can often form subcultures
Benefits of right realism
Crime is a growing problem
Crime is a rational choice ( is the reward greater than the risk )
Young males lack socialising from their parents / role models
