day 2 : right realism

Question 1

Right realism
introduction

Answer 1

Criminals choose to break the law

Those who are badly socialised are more likely to break the law as humans are naturally selfish and greedy

Therefore crime is inevitable. It can only be reduced not eradicated

Question 2

What causes crime according to the right realist?

Answer 2

3 reasons for causes of crime

1. Biological differences : Wilson and Herrnstein argue crime is caused by a combination of biological and social factors. Biological differences make some people innately predisposed to commit crime than others for e.g innate personality traits such as aggressiveness and extroversion etc are more likely going to lead to crime.
   Main cause of crime is low intelligence which they see as biologically determined . However, biological predisposition to offend can be decreased through effective socialisation as it teaches self control.
2. Poor socialisation and underclass values = Murray argues crime rates are increasing because of growing underclass which is increasing as a result of welfare dependency. Dependency culture has led to decline in marriage and increase in single mothers who are living on benefits. Underclass single mothers can’t socialise their children especially boys properly. Lack of positive role models is particularly damaging to boys who lack discipline. As result these cause delinquent behaviour as they turn to negative role models who gain status through criminality
3. Rational choice = individuals have free will. Clarks argues the decision to commit crime is a choice based on rational calculation of the likely consequences. If the perceived reward is greater than the cost of crime e.g getting caught people are more likely to break the law. Felson argues in his routine activity theory that for crime to occur there needs to be motivated offender, a suitable target and absence of capable guardian

Question 3

strengths + weakness

Answer 3

strengths
- Their proposal for crime prevention have been influential e.g zero tolerance, increasing number of police officers and building more prisons

weakness
-Ignores wider structural causes of crime such as poverty

-Fails to explain non-utilitarian crimes such as vandalism as well as utilitarian crimes committed by m.c (corporate and white collar crime)