Left and Right Realism

Question 1

Give 3 explanations of right realism for crime

Answer 1

• Inadequate socialisation
• Lack of responsibility/sense of entitlement
• Biological differences

Question 2

Give an example of inadequate socialisation and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 2

Murray - There’s a growing underclass who are socialised into dependancy

Not only the underclass who commit crime

Question 3

Give an example of lack of responsibility and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 3

Clarke - Rational Choice Theory

Marxism - False needs (socially constructed)

Question 4

Give an example of biological differences and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 4

Those with low IQs - don’t know right from wrong

Arguably a socialisation issue

Question 5

Give 3 explanations of left realism for crime

Answer 5

• Relative deprivation
• Subcultures
• Marginalisation

Question 6

Give an example of poverty and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 6

Consumer society - can’t reach goals legitimately

Functionalism - Warning device

Question 7

Give an example of subcultures and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 7

Gangs - middle class values with the lack of means in achieving them

Merton - Strain Theory

Question 8

Give an example of marginalisation and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 8

Young people in cities lack a voice and role

Only focuses on high crime in inner cities

Question 9

Give 3 solutions of right realism

Answer 9

• Broken Windows Theory
• Zero Tolerance and harsher punishments
• Target Hardening

Question 10

Give an example of how broken windows theory can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 10

Will stop people from committing crime due to improvements in the area

Will just result in displacement

Question 11

Give an example of how zero tolerance can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 11

Harsher punishments - deterrence

Bastoy Island - high reoffending rate

Question 12

Give an example of how target hardening can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (RR)

Answer 12

Strengthen security - prevent crime from taking place

Class divide - not all can afford

Question 13

Give 3 solutions of left realism

Answer 13

• Improved policing
• Reduce poverty
• Multi agency approach

Question 14

Give an example of how improved policing can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 14

• Better pay and investment into corruption

- Lack of funding from the government

Question 15

GIve an example of how a reduction in poverty can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 15

Reduction in relative deprivation

Reductionist - ignores MC and white collar crime

Question 16

Give an example of how the multi agency approach can help solve crime and conflicting evidence (LR)

Answer 16

Improved housing, schools etc. - better socialisation

Assumes crime is only occurring due to deprivation