Realist approaches to crime Flashcards
(17 cards)
1
Q
Realist approaches to crime:
A
- Crime is real problem for society
- Cause is party biological and part social
- Solution = deterring offenders (because these causes cannot be easily changed)
2
Q
Left realists:
A
- Crime is caused by relative deprivation, subcultures and marginalism
- Solution = reducing inequality in society
3
Q
right realists’ explanations:
A
- Biological factors
- Poor socialisation
- Rational choice theory
4
Q
- Biological factors
A
- Herrnstein and Wilson argue that biological differences between individuals make some individuals more predisposed to crime.
- E.g. personality traits such as aggression
- Low intelligence also
5
Q
- Poor socialisation
A
- Murray argues crime is increasing due to the mounting underclass defined by their deviant behaviour
6
Q
- Rational choice theory
A
- Clarke believes the decision to commit a crime is based on a rational choice calculation of consequences.
- If perceived rewards outweigh costs, people are more likely to offend
7
Q
Left realists explanations
A
- Relative deprivation
- Subcultures
- Marginalisation
8
Q
- Relative deprivation
A
- Lea and young argue that relative deprivation leads to crime
- People who are deprived resent others for having more material goods than them
- Thus, resorting to illegitimate means to achieve the same level of materials
9
Q
- Subcultures
A
- Subcultures for as a collective solution to relative deprivation
- Some may turn to crime to close the ‘deprivation gap’
10
Q
- Marginalisation
A
- Marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent them
- Which leads to frustration and resentment
- In turn, they express frustration through criminal acts e.g. violence and rioting
11
Q
right realism – tackling crime:
A
- Zero tolerance policing
- Wilson and Kelling
- Target hardening
12
Q
- Zero tolerance policing
A
- Zero tolerance policing solution to undriveable behaviour e.g. prostitution / begging / drunkenness
- Police should patrol the streets and take a ‘short, sharp, shock’ approach
- And carry out stop and search on suspicious characters
13
Q
lson and Kelling
A
- The broken window thesis – essential to maintain orderly characteristics of neighbourhoods
- and reduce any signs of crime immediately
14
Q
- Target hardening
A
- If you’re making it harder to commit crime (by locking doors)
- This will reduce the rewards and act as a deterrent
15
Q
left realism – tackling crime:
A
- Policing and control
- Tackling structural causes of crime
16
Q
- Policing and control
A
cing must be made accountable to local communities
- And need to improve their relationship with the community
- By spending more time investigating crime
- And involving the community in making policing policies
17
Q
- Tackling structural causes of crime
A
- Reduce inequality of opportunity
- Discrimination
- Provide jobs for everyone
