realist approaches to crime Flashcards
1
Q
what are the three right realist theories to why people commit crime?
A
- rational choice theory
- biological factors
- inadequate socialisation
2
Q
what is Clarke’s rational choice theory?
A
- the decision to commit a crime is based on a rational calculation of consequences
- if the perceived rewards of committing the crime outweigh the costs, people are more likely to offend
3
Q
what is Herrnstein and Wilson’s biological factors theory?
A
- biological differences between people determine how likely they are to offend
- people with aggressive personality traits and low impulse control are more likely to offend
- low intelligence is also a factor
4
Q
What is Murray’s theory of inadequate socialisation?
A
- crime is increasing because of the underclass which are defined by their deviant behaviour
5
Q
What is an evaluation to rational choice theory?
A
- over-states the offenders rationality and how far they have cost-benefit calculations before committing a crime
- doesn’t explain non-utilitarian crime like murder
6
Q
what is an evaluation point to biological factors theory?
A
- if low intelligence was a factor it wouldn’t explain how asians are high achieving in school but also high in crime stats
- marxists argue it ignores social factors that lead to crime like material deprivation
- doesn’t explain non-violent utilitarian crimes
7
Q
What’s an evaluation point to inadequate socialisation theory?
A
- deterministic to assume all working class are inadequately socialised
- deterministic to assume you would be a criminal if you are inadequately socialised
8
Q
What are the three right realist theories for tackling crime?
A
- zero tolerance policing
- the broken window thesis
- target hardening
9
Q
What is zero-tolerance policing?
A
- zero tolerance policy to undesirable behaviour like prostitution, begging and drunkenness.
- police should patrol the streets and take a ‘short, sharp, shock’ approach
- stop and search
10
Q
What is Wilson and Kelling’s broken window thesis?
A
- It is essential to maintain orderly characteristics of neighbourhoods and to reduce any signs of crime immediately
11
Q
What is target hardening?
A
- if you make it harder to commit a crime (like locking doors) it acts as a deterrent
12
Q
What are the three left realist theories on why people commit crime and who wrote them?
A
- relative deprivation – lea and young
- subcultures
- marginalisation
13
Q
What is relative deprivation?
A
- relative deprivation leads to crime because those who have less material goods resent those who do leading them resorting to illegitimate means.
14
Q
How do subcultures cause crime?
A
- subcultures form as a response to relative deprivation and some may turn to crime to close the deprivation gap
15
Q
What is marginalisation?
A
- marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent them which leads to frustration and resentment
- this resentment leads to violence and rioting
