crime&deviance- realism Flashcards
What do both types of realist believe?
That official statistics are true.
What do right realists believe are the causes of crime?
Biological factors- low intelligence, risk taking urge, aggressive personality.
Rational choice- people have the rational choice of whether they commit crime, they can weigh up the rewards and punishments of crime.
Socialisation- the nuclear family teaches right from wrong the best, so if a child doesn’t have this they won’t know that crime is wrong.
Why has an underclass developed according to Murray?
Because people were depending on the welfare state rather than getting a job.
What did Cornish and Clarke discuss?
Rational choice theory- people weigh up the costs and benefits of committing a crime before they do it.
What is the broken windows theory?
That disorder within an area and how the area looks (e.g. smashed windows and graffiti) can attract more crime.
What are right realist crime prevention strategies?
Situational and environmental crime prevention. Zero tolerance policy, getting rid of welfare, target hardening.
What do left realists believe are the causes of crime?
Relative deprivation- feeling deprived in relation to others
Subcultures- people lacking legitimate means to succeed form subcultures that turn to crime.
marginalisation – powerless unemployed people are pushed to the outside of society (outsiders).
What does marginalisation mean?
When people who are unemployed and powerless are pushed to the outside/ edge of society by others.
What is a bulimic society?
A society that is saturated with media images of materialistic lifestyles, which causes them to vomit out their raised expectations because of financial restrictions.
What are left realist crime prevention strategies?
Policing and control- police must be more accountable. They need to improve relationship with public. Tracking structural concerns- tackle discrimination, provide decent jobs, improve housing.
