Sociological theories of crime - Right realism

Question 1

Define what crime is to realists?

Answer 1

A real social problem that requires solutions

Question 2

How do right realist thinkers believe crime (especially street) should be tackled ?

Answer 2

Through control and punishment rather than rehabilitation

Question 3

Name one of 3 factors that cause crime (1)

Answer 3

Biological differences between individuals make some people more likely to commit crime, eg low intelligence

Question 4

name one of the 3 factors that RR argue cause crime (2)

Answer 4

inadequate socialisation - Charles murray argued welfare dependant single parents has created an underclas who fail to socialise their kids properly - leads to criminality as the children turn to gangs in absence of the father

Question 5

Name one of the 3 factors that RR argue cause crime

Answer 5

Offending being a rational choice, crime rate is high because risk is low - punishments are lenient after a conviction

Question 6

name a strength

Answer 6

This theory is supported by Feldman who found that people do make rational decisions – if the reward is high and the risk is low, people were prepared to commit crime.

Question 7

name a weakness

Answer 7

Not all crimes are the result of rational decisions. Additionally, most crimes against the person are based on the spur of the moment reaction rather than societal pressure of a label