Left Realist Explanations Of Crime And Devience Flashcards
LR key beliefs about crime
Focus on the impact of society and inequalities in individual behaviour
(Society creates crime)
Take a realistic approach to crime
LR Young
Important to understand crime within its social context. Important to navigate between hysteria (underclass, media driven by moral panics) and the over policing of crime in certain areas
Relative crime (LR) : Lea + Young
Relative deprivation is the feeling of lacking in comparison to other in society e.g. WC youths feel relatively deprived compared to MC youths.
So, crime rooted in deprivation.
Relative Crime (LR) : Individualism
Concern with the self and their rights than others. Causes crime by encouraging the pursuit of self-interest at the expense of others. A demand for individual freedom often results in the pursuit of selfish interest
Marginalisation (LR)
Marginalised groups lack both clear goals and organisation to represent their interests e.g. employed youth. Feel powerless to use political means to improve their position so express their frustration through criminal means such as violence and rioting.
Link to Becker, labelling theory (evaluation)
Subcultures (LR)
A group with a shared set of New’s values developed as a response to the norms and values of wireless society.
Foals a subculture is a groups collective solution to the problems of relative deprivation. For example, some turn to crime to close deprivation gaps.
E.g. county lines
Types of victims (LR)
Often ignored, often WC
Most victims are from deprived groups
Types of criminals (LR)
Islington crime survey findings:
Young, WC, black, men, commit more crime than any other group
Role of mass media (LR)
Live in world which excludes the working class, glued to TV which portrays prizes of a wealthy society. Therefore, WC faced every day with comparisons which fuel relative deprivation. RD fuelled by media, promotes materialism and false needs.
Young, bulimic society, role of mass media (LR)
LWC live in a bulimic society – a society constantly exposed to the material goods taken for granted by majority but they themselves are unable to consume.
Left Realism beliefs on crime and deviance
Crime disproportionately affects working class people, but solutions only increase repression which makes crime problems worth. Cultural inclusion (except everyone and their differences) and economic exclusion (prevent people from fully participating in society and economy) comparison similar to Merton. Society creates crime by setting cultural goals e.g. material wealth, well denying people the opportunity to develop them in adjustment means e.g. decent jobs.
Matthews and Young
Square of crime:
Crime arises at an intersection. How crime is a social construction and individual/society’s response has overall decisions to prevent and control crime.
Crime is not an isolated act, but also influenced by various social factors e.g. state, public, victim, offender.
