Sociology - C&D - Theories - Left realism Flashcards
(18 cards)
Who came up with the square of crime?
Matthews and Young (1992)
What four factors do we need to acknowledge about crime?
the role of the offender, the role of the victim, the understanding of public opinion and informal social control, and the role of the state and formal agencies of social control
What was explored in The Exclusive Society by Lea and Young (1999)
Relative deprivation and marginalisation focuses on the way that society economically excludes people and draws a link between exclusion and crime
What does Hutton view society as in relation to The Exclusive Society by Lea and Young (1999)?
40:30:30 where 40% of the population are securely employed, 30% insecurely and 30% marginalised
What does young argue in relation to The Exclusive Society by Lea and Young (1999)?
As economic exclusion increases = social exclusion and breakdown of families/communities = increase crime = culture of fear and scapegoating
What do The Exclusive Society by Lea and Young (1999) think causes a “Society of vindictiveness”?
The breakdown of consensus leads to a less tolerant society and harsher reactions towards the excluded and deviant.
What 3 factors do Lea and Young find for the working class, young and afro-Caribbean’s being most likely to commit crime?
Relative deprivation, Marginalisation, and Subculture
Why do Lea and Young see relative deprivation to be a reason as to why the working class, young people and Afro-Caribbean’s committing the most crime?
People feel resentment and from seeing how well off people are through the media and the Bulimic society causes comparison. R.D. mixes with individualism and weakens informal social control causing crime
What type of society does Young think we are living in?
A bulimic society
What is a bulimic society?
Citizens are encouraged to worship success, money, wealth and status but some people are excluded from this and feel deprivation
How can relative deprivation be increased and lead to crime?
It is increased when combined with individualism and the pursuit of self interest can cause this to result in crime
Why do Lea and Young see marginalisation to be a reason as to why the working class, young people and Afro-Caribbean’s committing the most crime?
Young marginalised people have no power to change the situation and receive negative treatment causing resentment and deviancy
Why do Lea and Young see Subculture to be a reason as to why the working class, young people and Afro-Caribbean’s committing the most crime?
People who feel relative deprivation and marginalisation may form a deviant subculture and they may react to the perception of society so this may cause crime
What are the disadvantages left realist theories of crime?
- Right criticise them as they think the offenders are important and need to look more in socialisation - Hughes criticises for paying too much attention to the inner city
Why do right realists criticise left realist theories of crime?
Because they focus more on socialisation and the norms and values of the offender rather than the victims and think this needs to be focused on more by left realists
Why does Hughes criticise left realists theories of crime?
Hughes says they have paid too much attention to the brutalising reality of inner city street crime such as mugging and theft whilst ignoring other crimes and thinks left realists should have a more holistic approach to understand a range of crimes.
What do right realists and new right sociologists believe left realists ignore?
The role of upbringing, economic and social circumstances that may occur when crime is committed.
What is the advantage of the left realist theory of crime?
Highlights key findings of victims of crime being from deprived groups in society.
