Crime Topic 4 - Realism Flashcards
What do Realists believe about crime?
Crime is a real problem to be tackled and not just a social construct.
Realists argue that there has been a real increase in crime rates, especially street crime, burglary, and assault.
What are the two types of realist approaches?
- Right Realists
- Left Realists
What is the Right Realist perspective on crime?
Crime, particularly street crime, is a real and growing problem that undermines social cohesion.
Right Realists advocate for ‘get tough’ stances on crime.
How do Right Realists view the causes of crime?
They reject structural arguments and focus on biological and social factors.
James Q. Wilson and Richard Herrnstein present a biosocial theory of criminal behavior.
What do Right Realists believe about biological differences?
Some individuals are more predisposed to commit crime due to personality traits like aggression and impulsiveness.
According to Right Realists, how does socialization affect crime?
Effective socialization can decrease the risk of individuals becoming offenders.
What does Charles Murray argue about the underclass?
Crime is increasing due to the growing underclass with deviant behavior and inadequate socialization of children.
What is Rational Choice Theory according to Right Realists?
Individuals have free will and make a rational calculation about the consequences of committing a crime.
What are the three components necessary for a crime to occur, according to Felson?
- A motivated offender
- A suitable target
- Absence of a capable guardian
What is a criticism of Right Realism?
It ignores structural causes of crime.
What do Right Realists propose as solutions to crime?
- Control
- Containment
- Punishment of offenders
What is the ‘Broken Windows’ theory?
Maintaining the appearance of neighborhoods is crucial to prevent crime.
What is the concept of ‘Zero Tolerance’ policies?
There should be no tolerance for undesirable behavior, and police should control the streets.
What does Left Realism challenge about Right Realism?
It emphasizes that disadvantaged groups are the main victims of crime rather than the cause.
What three key causes of rising crime do Left Realists identify?
- Relative deprivation
- Subculture
- Marginalization
What is Relative Deprivation?
How deprived a person feels in relation to others.
How do Left Realists view criminal subcultures?
They are a collective response to the problem of relative deprivation.
What does the term ‘Marginalised’ refer to?
Groups that lack clear goals and organizations to represent their interests.
What is the impact of Late Modernity on crime, according to Young?
Instability and exclusion have worsened the problem of crime.
What is Generational Relative Deprivation?
Feeling deprived in relation to both those above and below us in the social hierarchy.
What do Left Realists argue about informal controls?
Their breakdown leads to increased reliance on state control and harsher punishments.
What is the Aetiological Crisis?
A crisis in explanation for the real increase in crime since the 1950s.
How do Left Realists propose to measure crime rates apart from official statistics?
- Victim surveys
- Self-report studies
What has been the trend in crime rates since the 1990s according to YOUNG?
There has been a substantial fall in the crime rate.
What is the public perception of crime rates despite the actual decline?
Most people believe the crime rate is increasing.
What is the primary focus of public concern regarding anti-social behaviour?
The focus by policy leading to ‘defining deviance up’.
What are ASBOs and when were they introduced?
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders introduced in 1998.
What are IPNAs and when were they introduced?
Injunctions to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance introduced in 2015.
List the key features of ASBOs.
- Blur the boundaries of crime
- Subjective definition
- Flexibility
What is one consequence of the subjective definition of anti-social behaviour?
It creates more crime.
What do left realists argue is necessary to reduce crime?
Improve policing and control while addressing structural causes of crime.
What do KINSEY, LEA & YOUNG suggest about public involvement in policing?
The public must become more involved in determining police priorities and style of policing.
What percentage of information about crimes is reported to the police by the public?
About 90%.
What is one effect of poor relations between the public and police in inner cities?
Distrust and lack of information provided to the police.
What approach do left realists suggest for police to improve community relations?
Spend more time investigating crimes and changing priorities.
What multi-agency approach do left realists advocate for tackling crime?
Involvement of local social services, councils, housing, schools, etc.
What structural issues do left realists argue must be addressed to tackle crime?
- Inequality of opportunity
- Discrimination
- Providing decent jobs
- Improving housing and community facilities
How have left realists influenced government policy according to the text?
NEW LABOUR adopted a ‘tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime’ stance.
What is one criticism of left realism by HENRY AND MILOVANOVIC?
They accept the authorities’ definition of crime as primarily street crime committed by the poor.
What is a limitation of left realists’ reliance on quantitative data according to INTERACTIONISTS?
They cannot understand the offenders’ motives and meanings.
What assumption does the left realist use of subcultural theory make?
That a value consensus exists and crime occurs when it breaks down.
What does the theory of left realism potentially over-predict?
The amount of crime.
What is a potential issue with focusing on high crime inner-city areas?
It gives an unrepresentative view of crime.
Fill in the blank: According to left realists, police must improve relationships with local communities by _______.
[spending more time investigating crimes and changing priorities]
What two approaches do left realists suggest for addressing crime?
- Policing and control
- Tackling structural causes of crime
List the similarities and differences between right and left realism regarding the causes of crime.
[Refer to the table created separately for detailed comparison.]
