Sociological Theories

• Marxism Theory Strengths 


  • Gives an explanation on how crime could be a result of the proletariat rebelling against the bourgeoisie
  • Highlights selective law enforcement and the impact it can have on the proletariat
• Marxism Theory Weaknesses


  • Many disagree that social class and status exists. Many believe that it is just an ideology
  • Ignores/is unable to explain white collar crime, and assumes all working class communities commit crime which is clearly untrue
• Functionalism Theory Strengths 


  • Durkheim was one of the first to recognise that crime can have positive functions for society
  • It makes sense that when particularly heinous crimes have happened, society does come together, eg Paris terrorist attacks (2015), showing crime does have a function
• Functionalism Theory Weaknesses 


  • Is unable to explain how crime is caused - this limits its effectiveness in explaining crime
  • While crime may be functional for some, it is not functional for victims
• Merton's Strain Theory Strengths 


  • Can explain crimes caused by the illegitimate need to maintain a certain 'lifestyle' e.g. theft, fraud, property crime, drug-dealing
  • Helps to explain why countries that experience growing wealth still have issues with crime
• Merton's Strain Theory Weaknesses


  • Ignores crimes of wealth and power e.g. white collar
  • Ignores crimes where there is no economic motive e.g. murder, vandalism
• Interactionism- Labeling Theory (Becker) Strengths 


  • Highlights the consequences of labeling
  • It shifts focus onto how the police can create crime by labeling and discriminating against people who fit stereotypical ideas of the 'typical offender'
• Interactionism- Labeling Theory (Becker) Weaknesses


  • Assumes once someone is labeled a criminal, this is fixed - not always
  • Sympathizes with offenders - they are only criminals because society has labeled them so. Ignores victims