realism Flashcards
(25 cards)
what two types of theories are included in realism?
right and left realism
where does the right realism view come from?
right wing conservative polictical outlook
what is right realism?
they see crime as a growing problem so they need to take it through control and punishment
what three factors does right realism say causes crime?
biological differences, inadequate socialisation, rational choice
how does biological differences create crime?
some people may have a low IQ and are more likely to be attracted to crime
how does inadequate socialisation create crime?
when children fail to socialise correctly, they turn to delinquent gangs
why does rational choice create crime?
when there are more pros than cons to committing a crime - people are more likely to do it
who supports right realism?
Feldman
- he found that people do make rational choices
what did Retting find?
the degree of punishment determines if people commit crime or not
why does right realism have some validity?
it explains opportunistic crime
what does right realism provide for policy makers?
a clear method of reducing crime
how does right realism lack validity?
not all crimes are the result of rational choice - most are spur of the moment
how is right realism stereotypical?
suggests that the ‘underclass’ will inevitably commit crime
what does right realism ignore?
- high reoffending rates for prisoners
- benefits of rehab
where does the left realism view come from?
left wing socialist politician outlook
what is left realism?
they see inequality in capitalist society as the cause of crime
who are the typical victims of crime, according to lest realism?
disadvantaged groups e.g. working class
who discovered 3 related causes of crime?
Lea & Young
what is relative deprivations and how does it lead to crime?
- how deprived someone feels compared to others
- they cannot obtain what they feel is rightfully theirs
what is a criminal subculture and how does it lead to crime?
they form to solve relative deprivation through illegitimate means
what is a marginalised group and how does it lead to crime?
- groups who lack representation from organisations on their interests
- leads to frustration and anger that they express through crime
what does left realism force on the importance of?
poverty, inequality and relative deprivation s the underlying structural causes of crime
what does left realism recognise for victims?
the devastating effect it has on them
what does left realism encourage for preventing crime?
rehabilitation
