Realist Theories Of Crime (right And Left) Flashcards
How do realists see crime as (generally)
They see is as a real problem to be tackled, and not Judy a social construction created by control agencies.
● They argue that there has been a significant increase in crime
● Concerned about the fear of crime and the impact on victims
● Feel that other theories has failed to offer realistic solutions to tackle
crime
Who was left realism and what are the 3 main points
YOUNG
1) marginalisation
2) Relative deprivation
3) subcultures
Who made right realism and what are the 3 main points
WILSON
1) biological differences
2) socialisation and the underclass
3) rational choices
How do right realists see crime as
Sees crime, especially street crime, as a real and growing problem that is destroying communities
This approach has been very influential in the UK e.g. introducing the ‘zero tolerance’ policies adopted by the police
Right realists criticise other perspective by arguing that they don’t provide any ‘real way to tackle’ crime
Right realists (biological differences)
- Biosocial theory
● Crime is caused by a combination of biological and social factors
● Biological differences make some individuals innately predisposed to commit crime more than others
● E.g. personality traits such as aggressiveness, extroversion, risk taking, low intelligence
Right realists (socialisation and underclass)
● Effective socialisation decreases risk - they learn self-control and internalising moral values of right and wrong
● The best way to socialise is the nuclear family
● Crime is increasing because there is an increase in working-class who are failing to socialise their children correctly
Right realists (rational choice theory)
● Individuals have free will
● The decision to commit a crime is a choice based on rational calculations of the consequences
● If the rewards outweigh the risks, then people will commit crime
● Costs of crimes are low and crime rate has increased
How do right realists tackle crime
Right realists don’t think it is right to deal with the causes of crime - e.g. if biological, this is not easy to change
They focus on practical measures to make crime less attractive e.g. punishment rather than rehabilitation
Wilson and Kelling’s (1982) argue that it is essential to maintain the orderly character of neighbourhoods to prevent crime
E.g. deal with issues immediately to show that it is not okay In New York, they claim that ‘zero tolerance’ policing has reduced crime
Issues of tackling crime (right realists)
● Is Zero Tolerance a myth? - Young (2011) believes that the reduction in crime rates following this, was a myth by politicians and police who were keen to take the credit for this fall in crime rates
● It is preoccupied with petty street crime - what about corporate crime?
● Provides the police more opportunities to discriminate
● Just causes a displacement of crime to other areas
How do left realists see crime as
They see crime as a result of society being unequal and capitalist
They believe that we need practical strategies for reducing crime now, not just wait for a revolution and a classless society to be introduced
They believe that crime is a real problem - particularly affecting the disadvantaged
How do left realists take crime seriously
They accuse other sociologists of not taking crime seriously:
Marxists - have concentrated on crime of the powerful - what about working-class crime?
Neo-marxists - focus on working-class ‘stealing from the rich for the poor’ - actually most working-class commit crime against other working-class
Labelling - see working-class criminals as victims of discrimination - this neglects the real victims
Left realm etiological crisis
● From 1950’s = an increase in working-class crime
● Labelling theorists believe this was simply due to increased
reporting (socially constructed)
● Left-realists argue that actually more crime was being committed
● They also looked at who is most affected by crime - working-class and disadvantaged
● It also has a greater impact on their lives
Left realism (relative deprivation)
How deprived someone feels in relation to others/their own expectations
Can lead to people resented others for having what they want
We are now more aware of what other people have due to the media/TV = raises expectations
Works alongside individualism (self-interest
Left realism (subculture)
● A groups solution to
relative deprivation
● Different groups will produce different subcultures
● Use illegitimate means to achieve the goals and values of mainstream society
Left realism (marginalisation)
● Lack clear goals
● Unemployed marginalised have no clear goals or organisation which can lead to frustration and crime
