Right Realism Flashcards
(8 cards)
Biological differences
Wilson and hernstein argue that crime is caused by biological and social factors. Some biological traits make people more likely to commit crime. Men have higher levels of testosterone which makes them easily angered causing them to commit violent crimes
Evaluation of biological difference
right realism has had a genie e effect on government responses to crime such as David Cameron’s zero tolerance approach on the 2011 riots
Inadequate socialisation
The family is the key of socialisation. Murray argues that the nuclear family is being undermined by the welfare state as it creates a perverse incentive encouraging spfs. This causes a dependency culture where people rely on the state for a way of life. This underclass fail to socialise their children into the shared norms and values as men no longer need to stay around to support their children
Evaluation of inadequate socialisation
This ignores wider structural causes of crime such as the unequal distribution of power and wealth
Rational choice threory
Individuals are rational beings which free will. Deciding to commit a crime is choice based on a rational calculation of the consequences and rewards. If the rewards outweigh the consequences then the person is more likely to commit crime. In order to stop crime we mus target harden and make the punishment more harsh so that it outweighs the reward.
Evaluation of rational choice theory
It overstates the offenders rationality as more crimes are committed impulsively and in the money. Most people do not weigh up the pros and cons of
Zero tolerance policing
Police should focus on controlling the streets to citizens feel safe. This can be done through the broke windows affect where a crime is punished harshly and immediately to deter others from commiting crimes. For example in California there is a three strike rule where once a person commits more than three crimes they will serve life
Evaluation of zero tolderance
Marxists argue that zero toldernace policing focuses more on low level petty street crimes rather than crimes of the wealthy.
