Realist Theories

Question 1

What do right realists think about crime?

Answer 1

• crime is NOT a social construct
• crime is a real problem
• crime sabotages the ability for everyone to get along

Question 2

What are the causes of crime from a right realist perspective?

Answer 2

• Biology
• Socialisation
• Rational thought

Question 3

What do Wilson and Herrinstein argue ?

Answer 3

They argue that specific personal is ties are more likely to steer towards crime, and make some people more predisposed to crime than others.

Question 4

What does Murray say about socialisation?

Answer 4

Murray argues that effective socialisation reduces the chance of committing crime.

Question 5

What does Ron Clarke say about rational choice?

Answer 5

The decision to commit crime is based on individual choice. We weigh up the rational calculation of the likely consequences and make a decision based on this.

Question 6

What are right realists solutions to crime ?

Answer 6

Environmental crime prevention/zero tolerance
(Harsher punishments and more policing)

Situational Crime Prevention
(Target hardening and CCTV)

Question 7

What is situational crime prevention?

Answer 7

Dealing with the situation to make it more difficult to commit a crime and discourage crime from taking place.
Examples of this is target hardening when you focus on a particular area to remove the possibility of crime. And also CCTV

Question 8

What are disadvantages of CCTV and Target Hardening?

Answer 8

• could perhaps displace crime

- not addressing why people actually committing crime in the first place

Question 9

What does Ron Clarke describe situational crime prevention as?

Answer 9

An approach that relies, not on improving society or its institutions, but simply on reducing opportunities for crime

Question 10

How does rational choice contribute to crime?

Answer 10

Clarke-

People have the choice to commit crime and will do so if the benefits outweigh the punishments

Question 11

Give an example of situational crime prevention ?

Answer 11

Felson case study-

The Port Authority Bus terminal was poorly designed and provided opportunities for deviant conduct , including drug dealing and rough sleeping. The solution was ,taking away large sinks where homeless people bathed and replacing them with small hand basins.

Question 12

Why might harsher punishments under the Zero tolerance solution be a problem?

Answer 12

It could create social tension

Question 13

What is Zero tolerance?

Answer 13

It is a clamp down approach on crime. Any form of deviance leads to more crime. Therefore in order to reduce crime it is important to tackle minor offences as soon as they appear in order to avoid them escalating.

Question 14

Who talks about the “Broken Windows theory” ?

Answer 14

Wilson and Kelling

Question 16

Why might an increase in policing be problematic from a labelling perspective ?

Answer 16

As certain groups will be targeted more because of stereotypes and because of the labels.

Question 17

What do left realists believe ?

Answer 17

Left realists believe that society is unequal due to the nature of capitalism. They believe gradual changes to society can help to bring about equality. It is inequality that leads to criminal behaviour.

Question 18

What are 2 similarities between left and right realists ?

Answer 18

• real issue need real solutions
• both would say certain groups are more prone to crime
• crime is not a social construct

Question 19

Zero tolerance is based on the “Broken Windows Theory” what is that ?

Answer 19

According to this theory that’s is a link between disorder and crime. Visible signs of decay such as broken windows, signals public disinterest. Fear of crime will result in people moving away and leading to a decline in maintaining order
Leaving crime will just lead to more crime.

Question 20

What is the 1st cause of crime from a left realist perspective ?

Answer 20

Relative Deprivation-
This refers to how deprived a person feels in comparison to others. Even though we are more prosperous in today’s society, we have more crime. This maybe be because media and advertising makes us more materialistic.

Question 21

What is the 2nd cause of crime from a left realist perspective ?

Answer 21

Marginalisation-
If you are marginalised, you are pushed to the outskirts of society. This may lead to groups not having clear goals or a way of organising themselves to have a voice in society. This can lead to frustration.

Question 22

What is the 3rd cause of crime from a left realist perspective ?

Answer 22

Subcultures-

Blocked opportunities can lead to subculture formations. Crime is a collective solution for some groups.

Question 23

Give a case study showing subcultures forming?

Answer 23

Pryce-
Studies black communities and found a range of subcultures formed when opportunities were blocked. These groups subscribe to mainstream goals but find alternative means for achieving them.

Question 24

Name the 3 solutions to crime from a left realist perspective

Answer 24

• More accountable policing
• Multi agency approach
• Dealing with inequality

Question 25

Explain how dealing with inequality from a left realist perspective can reduce crime?

Answer 25

Dealing with inequality will help groups feel less marginalised. We must also become more tolerant of diversity and cease stereotyping groups of people as criminal.

Question 26

Explain multi agency approach from a left realist perspective can reduce crime?

Answer 26

All institutions including social workers, education systems, housing etc coming together will add more support and influence to the right direction and reduce crime. It cannot be the police alone trying to reduce crime.

Question 27

Explain how more accountable policing from a left realist perspective can reduce crime?

Answer 27

By changing their priorities and working with the public to reduce crime, this will give the police a more caring face and encourage people in the right path. The police will also involve the public in policing policies to include them.

Question 28

What evaluative points can be made about left realists ?

Answer 28

Fails to explain corporate crime crime. Doesn’t explain the motives of offenders. Relative deprivation can not fully explain crime

Question 29

How is the new right explanation of crime criticised ?

Answer 29

Ignores wider structural causes. Overestimated how rational criminals are impulsive and violent. The idea of biological determinism conflicts with the idea of free will