Sociological theories of crime - Left realism

Question 1

What do LR see as the main cause of crime

Answer 1

Inequality in capitalist society

Question 2

Left realists view crime from a ____ ____, ________ political outlook

Answer 2

Left wing, socialist

Question 3

The victims of crime are _______ _____

Answer 3

Disadvantaged groups

Question 4

Give 3 examples of disadvantaged groups

Answer 4

Working Class, Ethnic Minorities and Women - police take crimes against these groups less seriously

Question 5

What are the names of the sociologists who identified 3 related causes of crime?

Answer 5

Lea and Young

Question 6

Name one related cause of crime according to Left realism - 1

Answer 6

Relative deprevation - how deprived someone feels in relation to others - people cannot obtain what is rightfully theirs due to inequality when the media constantly promotes the importance of material possesions

Question 7

Name one related cause of crime according to LR - 2

Answer 7

Criminal subcultures - Form in order to solve the problem of relative deprevation through illegitimate means

Question 8

Name one related cause of crime according to LR - 3

Answer 8

Marginalised groups such as the unemployed lack organisations to represent their interests which leads to feelings of powerlessness and frustration - express In crime

Question 9

name a strength

Answer 9

It recognises the reality of street crime in deprived areas as having a devastating effect on the actual victims.

Question 10

name a weakness

Answer 10

It fails to explain middle class crime such as white collar crime.