4. Right Realism

Question 1

Right realism on crime stats

Answer 1

Largely accepts them

Question 2

Right realism on crime

Answer 2

Approach emphasises a no nonsense crackdown on crime, supporting zero tolerance policing. Closely linked to political conservative ideology

Question 3

Right realism influence

Answer 3

Influential in shaping conservative government policies under Thatcher and Reagan in 1980s

Question 4

Right realism attitudes towards labelling theory

Answer 4

Reject view that crime is a social construct
Believe it’s too sympathetic towards criminal behaviour

Question 5

Right realism attitudes towards Marxism on crime

Answer 5

Reject notion of crime being product of structural inequality
Unfairly hostile towards CJS

Question 6

4 right realism causes of crime

Answer 6

Biology (Wilson and Herrnstein)
The underclass and socialisation (Murray)
Rational choice theory (Wilson)
Routine activity theory (Cohen and Felson)

Question 7

Wilson and Herrnstein’s biological causes of crime

Answer 7

Crime is disproportionately high in men
Some men are predisposed to criminal behaviour as they have high degrees of personality traits linked to aggression and risk-taking
Personality doesn’t determine criminality, but it does make it more likely

Question 8

What is the nuclear family the best agency for according to Murray?

Answer 8

It’s the best agency for socialisation for children to learn the best law-abiding behaviours

Question 9

The nuclear family and the welfare state according to Murray

Answer 9

The nuclear family is being eroded by the welfare state and giving rise to the underclass

Question 10

Murray’s underclass

Answer 10

Subculture of single parents dependent on the welfare system who inadequately control their kids due to a lack of a authority figure to socialise them correctly

Question 11

How are lone-parent families encouraged according to Murray?

Answer 11

Over-generous welfare provision has created a culture of welfare dependency, encouraging lone-parent families

Question 12

How does welfare dependency link to criminality according to Murray?

Answer 12

Welfare dependency creates a social environment that encourages deviant and criminal behaviour

Question 13

Who developed the rational choice theory and what is it?

Answer 13

Wilson
Individuals have free will and therefore freely choose whether or not to commit crimes
Rational choice - individuals see if the benefits (E.g. financial gain) outweigh the costs (punishment) of committing the crime
High crime is due to low level of perceived cost/risk of being prosecuted
Especially valid for youth crime as they see CJS as lenient

Question 14

3 things that crimes need according to Cohen and Felson’s routine activity theory

Answer 14

A motivated offender (reason to commit crime)
Availability of opportunities and targets (availability of a victim and correct circumstances to commit)
A sense of a capable guardian / authority figure

Question 15

When coming up with solutions for crime what do RRs focus on?

Answer 15

Changes to criminal law
Changes to control and punishment of offending behaviour

Question 16

5 RR solutions to crime

Answer 16

Custodial sentencing
Zero tolerance policing
Reduce opportunities
Police
Welfare policy

Question 17

Custodial sentencing solution to crime

Answer 17

Tougher/longer sentences, especially for repeat offenders

Question 18

Zero tolerance policing solution of crime

Answer 18

Zero tolerance policing involved coming down hard on criminals in terms of punishing behaviour without accepting excuses
Minor crimes dealt with same vigour as serious crimes

Question 19

What theory links to zero tolerance policing and what does it say?

Answer 19

Wilson and Kelling’s ‘broken windows’ theory
Suggests how if low level disorder isn’t tackled quickly, it will rapidly escalate

Question 20

Reduce opportunities solution of crime

Answer 20

Limit opportunities to commit crimes by increasing public awareness

Question 21

Police solution to crime

Answer 21

Increase presence and power of police to increase risk of being caught

Question 22

Welfare policy solution to crime

Answer 22

Change policy to make nuclear family become more financially attractive than other forms

Question 23

Positive evaluation of right realism on crime: real life application

Answer 23

Policy-orientated so it offers workable solutions

Question 24

Positive evaluation of right realism on crime: success of zero tolerance policing

Answer 24

New York implemented this policy in 1993 and found 36% reduction in violent crime from 1993 and 1996
HOWEVER Young argues that crime in New York had been falling since 1985 anyway

Question 25

Positive evaluation of right realism on crime: research support

Answer 25

Flood-Page et al used Home Office research to find that children from lone-parent or step-families were more likely to offend than those from nuclear families

Question 26

Negative evaluation of right realism on crime: left realist criticism (2)

Answer 26

Left realists believe dealing with social inequality is a better way of reducing crime (tackling causes, not finding solutions)
Left realists believe right realist emphasis on police and prisons is ineffective - solutions offered by New Right to conservatives appeared to have little impact on CR

Question 27

Negative evaluation of right realism on crime: Marxist criticisms (2)

Answer 27

Ignores economic origin of crime (capitalism is criminogenic)
Ignores crimes of the wealthy

Question 28

Negative evaluation of right realism on crime: attack on civil liberties

Answer 28

Higher argues increased social control and surveillance is an invasion of privacy