CRIME AND DEVIANCE - Left Realism Flashcards
Why is it called ‘Left Realism’?
Because it attempted to take a more practical and real life view of crime and deviance!
Left Realism (alongside Right Realism) attempted to look for solutions for what might and could be done to reduce crime!
What do Left and Right Realism have in common?
- They both see crime as a real and major problem, especially for victims (who are usually ignored by other perspectives)!
- They are worried about the harm that happens and the idea that real victims suffer in real ways!
What can Realist Approaches be seen as a reaction to?
They can be seen as a reaction to the labelling theory and radical criminology = They say that these perspectives and approaches did not show concern for victims, who suffer real life impacts!
What are the 3 Main Concepts for Left Realism?
- Relative Deprivation
- Marginalisation
- Subcultures
What is the Left Realist view on Crime Statistics?
They are less critical of statistics that most perspectives!
- They argue that they do reflect the ‘typical criminals’ - Young, male, working-class, and disproportionately Black!
- They focus on victims as well as offenders (victimisation) and they recognised that crime is concentrated in urban areas in the inner-city (‘sink’ housing estates)
- They DO NOT approve of how statistics are used to create fear of individuals –> Such as Hall’s ‘black mugger’ study, the use of the ‘sus law’ and Cohen’s idea of ‘moral panics’!
TRUE OR FALSE: Left-Realists DO NOT blame the criminal!
TRUE - They blame the broken system that does not give individuals better life choices; this links to Merton and the Strain Theory!
Left Realists want to tackle the problem and the causes of crime!
Who are the 4 most Prominent Supporters of the New Criminology Perspective?
- Jock Young
- John Lea
- Roger Matthews
- Richard Kinsey
Jock Young - Links to ‘New Criminology’ = He wanted to be part of the solution by providing the government with evidence as for why crime happens, so that they can fix it! He believes that Sociology SHOULD have an influence in Social Policy!
Where did Left Realism originate?
Left Realism originated in the UK, but had begun to influence criminologists in other countries, including Australia and Canada!
TRUE OR FALSE: Left Realist Criminologists are NOT CRITICAL of perspectives that see longer prison sentences and more prisons as the solutions to crime!
FALSE - Left Realist Criminologists are CRITICAL of perspectives that see longer prison sentences and more prisons as the solutions to crime!
Why do Left Realists see as the Solution to Crime? HINT: There are 3 bullet point suggestions here!
- Better community relations between the people themselves and also between the people and the police = More invested in society (Links to Hirschi)
- Less deprivation, as poverty reduce legitimate opportunities = Cloward and Ohlin + Merton
- More opportunities in society, in order to build ‘Bonds of Attachment’ = Links to Hirschi and wanting to minimise people who fall into subcultures!
Describe the impact that Relative Deprivation has on Crime!
When people experience Relative Deprivation, they struggle to achieve social goals legitimately and they often have to deviate to make ends meet or to gain status and power in society. This can lead to non-utilitarian crime and an increase in burglary and street crime!
Describe the impact that Marginalisation has on Crime!
When people feel Marginalised in society, they begin to feel alienated. They, therefore, have less ‘bonds’ and connections to other members of society. This means that they do not feel like they have any attachments to society, so they are more likely to commit crimes and join ‘gang subcultures’, in order to try and attempt to create a sense of community for themselves in society.
One reason for joining a subculture is marginalisation → Feeling disconnected from society; not feeling like you have a place in society, such as migrants!
Describe the impact that Subcultures has on Crime!
When people are a part of criminal, anti-school or gang subcultures, they are more likely to commit crime. A lot of people join criminal and gang subcultures due to status frustration and because they lack legitimate opportunity structures (Cohen + Cloward and Ohlin).
When people join a subculture, they change their norms and values and they begin to align with the group → Leads to street crime and violence, in order to gain status (illegitimate opportunity structure and non-utilitarian crimes).
Who are the 2 Main Sociologists for Left Realism?
Lea and Young!
(LEA AND YOUNG) What do they say, in regards to SUBCULTURES?
They argue the subculture of young Black people is distinctly different from their parents and grandparents who largely accepted their marginalised position in society and accepted their fate –> Young people feel able to symbolically oppose and express their anger. (Links to Paul Gilroy and ‘symbolic resistance’ and fighting for their ancestors’)
Black youth subcultures have high material expectations and aspirations, such as money and status symbols like flash cars, etc. (links to music videos!) This can lead to strain or status frustration in these groups in particular (Merton and Cohen)!
Because Black, male youths are so closely engaged in values of consumption, style and wealth, this is precisely why they engage in crime – because of blocked opportunities (Links to Status Frustration - Albert Cohen); they commit crime as they want material wealth = Young people feel more able to rebel, and they feel more frustration!
