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AQA A-Level Sociology Burnley College > 4.3 - Realist Theories on Crime > Flashcards

4.3 - Realist Theories on Crime Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

RR - Causes of Crime

A

> Biological Differences
Socialisation and the Underclass
Rational Choice Theory
Routine Activity Theory

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2
Q

RR - Solutions to Crime

A

> Broken Windows
Zero Tolerance
Target Hardening

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3
Q

Hernstein & Murray - Biological Differences (RR)

A

> Some are innately predetermined to do crime in their DNA

> Programmed to be very aggressive & dumb - + likely to do crime

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4
Q

Lilly - Criticisms Biological Differences

A

Intelligence differences account for only 3% of differences in offending

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5
Q

Underclass - Murray (RR)

A

> NF undermined by welfare state, leading to + of LPF underclass w/ inadequate socialisation

> Lack male role models & discipline, key values not taught

> Boys join gangs to get status through crime > supporting families

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6
Q

Rational Choice Theory - Clarke (RR)

A

> Have free will & choice to do crime, if positives of doing crime outweigh the costs, it makes it more likely

> Current costs of crime are low, so crime has increased

> Need for zero tolerance approach

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7
Q

General Criticisms of Clarke

A

> How can criminals be rational actors, but behaviour due to biology & socialisation

> Overexaggerates extent criminals make +/- calculations

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8
Q

Felson - Routine Activity Theory (RR)

A

> Crime caused by motivated offender, suitable target & absence of police & neighbour

> Deviants act rationally so suitable guardians likely to deter them

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9
Q

General Criticisms of RR

A

> Short-sighted ignores wider structural causes e.g. poverty

> Doesn’t explain violent or impulsive crimes

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10
Q

Wilson & Kelling - Zero Tolerance - Solutions to Crime (RR)

A

> Keep areas orderly so crime don’t take over, graffiti & vandalism needs immediate action

> Police control streets stop drunks & beggars, so law-abiding people feel safe

> Increase of fines & prison sentences as deterrent.

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11
Q

General Criticisms of Zero Tolerance

A

> Allow police to discriminate vs EM, youth & homeless

> Ignores corporate crime & leads to displacement of crime in other areas

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12
Q

Young - Zero Tolerance as Urban Myth (RR)

A

> Crime already decreasing from 1985

> Police use arrests to justify existence, artificially increase number of arrests for minor things

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13
Q

How is LR similar to Marxism?

A

Unequal society root of crime

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14
Q

How is LR different to Marxism?

A

> Gradual change is needed > violent overthrow of capitalism

> Marx concentrate on crime of upper class, but neglect WC crime & effects

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15
Q

LR criticisms of Neo-Marxists

A

Romanticise WC criminals as having political motive, but mostly do crime vs other WC

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16
Q

Real increase in crime (Aetiological Crisis) (LR)

A

> Crisis of explanation e.g. Labelling Theory sees increasing crime as a social construction which LR strongly disagree with. Increases are real and concerning

17
Q

LR - 3 Causes of Crime

A

> Relative Deprivation
Subculture
Marginalisation

18
Q

Define Relative Deprivation

A

How deprived someone feels in relation to others

19
Q

Lea (Relative Deprivation) - Causes of Crime

A

> Feelings of deprivation in relation to others is enhanced by media/advertising

> Pressure for material possessions means an increase in people committing crime who cannot get these things legitimately

20
Q

Young (Lethal Combination of RD & Individualism) - Causes of Crime

A

> Focus on self-gain at the expense of others

> Causes disintegration of families undermines values of support & selflessness

> Weakens informal controls, leads to anti-social behaviour & Crime

21
Q

LR - Definition of Subculture

A

Groups collective solution to problem of relative deprivation

22
Q

Young (Subcultures) - Causes of Crime

A

> Different subcultures have positive solutions to RD

> Criminal subcultures still focus on materialism & consumerism

> Gangs in US focused on American Dream & gaining designer items e.g. Gucci etc - can’t get it legitimately and leads to street crime.

23
Q

Lea & Young (Marginalisation) - Causes of Crime

A

> Unlike groups e.g. workers, unemployed youths are marginalised

> No organisations to represent them & no goals, due to no political means. Cannot express their frustrations

> So do this by alternative means e.g. violence

24
Q

Young - Late Modernity & Worsening of WC Crime

A

> Due to harsher welfare polices + unemployment & poverty

> Contrast to golden age of capitalism with low divorce & crime rates

> Now unstable family & community life, weakening informal controls

25
Q

Cultural Inclusion and Economic Exclusion

A

WC are culturally included into the material goals of society through advertisements but are economically excluded through low paid jobs.

26
Q

Lea & Young Policing and Control - LR Solution to Crime

A

> Police rely on information of people but losing support

> Use military policing swamping areas
alienates communities see police as victimising youth

> To win support, need to involve people in deciding police use multi-agency approach e.g. schools & social services

27
Q

LR - Tackling Structural Causes & Reducing Inequality (Solution to Crime)

A

> Main solution is to tackle discrimination, inequality in opportunities, improve housing.

> Be more tolerant of diversity stop seeing certain groups as criminal

28
Q

Similarities vs LR & Gov Policy

A

> New Labour focused on being tough on crime & it’s causes similar to LR

> e.g. firmer policing approach on Domestic Violence, Anti-Social B & new deal offered to unemployed youth

29
Q

Young - Criticisms of New Labour

A

> Policies are nostalgic attempts to recreate conditions of GA in 50’s

> Criticises record of gov’s only focused on addressing symptoms e.g ASB

> Only been tough on crime & not on causes

30
Q

Henry & Milanovich - Criticisms of LR

A

Accepts gov’s definition of crime as street crime by poor and ignore corporate crime

31
Q

Interactionists - Criticisms of LR

A

Focused only on Official Stats, doesn’t look at offender’s motives

32
Q

General Criticisms of LR

A

> Not all experiencing RD do crime

> Focus on high crime inner city areas makes it appear greater issue

AQA A-Level Sociology Burnley College (36 decks)

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