Right Realism

Question 1

What do they believe?

Answer 1

Crime is a real problem that destroys communities and undermines social cohesion

• closely linked to new right views and conservatives
• manage crime through control and punishment rather than rehabilitation or tackling other causes

Question 2

Biological differences

Answer 2

Wilson and Hernstein - bio social theory - some people are innately predisposed to crime

• aggressiveness
• extroversion
• risk taking
• low impulse control

Question 3

Murray and Hernstein

Answer 3

1994: main cause is low intelligence - they see as biologically determined

Question 4

Socialisation and underclass

Answer 4

Effective socialisation reduces risk of offending
- Murray: crime rising due to growth of the underclass - defined by deviant behaviour and failure to socialise children adequately

Question 5

Rational choice theory

Answer 5

Ron Clarke

• individuals have free will and the power of reason
• the decision to commit crime is based on rational calculation of the likely consequences and possible benefits
• if the benefits of a crime outweigh the perceived risks of a crime, people will be more likely to offend

Question 6

Telson: routine activity theory

Answer 6

For a crime to occur there must be:

• a motivated offender
• a suitable opportunity/ target
• the absence of a capable guardian

Question 7

Evaluation

Answer 7

Ignores structural causes of crime
Overstates cost/ benefit calculations - does this explain violent or impulse crime?
View that criminals are rational conflict with their bio social theories
Preoccupied with street and petty crime, ignores corporate crime

Question 8

Katz (post modernist)

Answer 8

Argues crime is seductive - young men get drawn into it because it is thrilling

Question 9

Crime is seductive

Answer 9

Katz - post modernist