Realism Flashcards
what does realism link to in crime?
crime prevention and punishment
what are the 4 things that realists say about crime?
1- crime is a real problem
2- crime causes real fear
3- crime has real victims
4- they try to offer realistic solutions
what outlook does right realism share?
new right outlook
what are the 3 things that right realists say causes crime?
1- biological differences
2- socialisation and the underclass
3- rational choice
who said biological differences is a cause of crime?
hernstein and murray
what is biological differences according to right realists?
-the biological differences between individuals make someone more strongly predisposed to commit crime
-personality traits
-argue that the main cause of crime is low intelligence, which is biologically determined
who came up with the idea that socialisation and the underclass?
murray
explain socialisation and the underclass?
-we are socialised to be a criminal
-effective socialisation would decrease the chance of an individual committing a crime
-need to learn right from wrong
-lone mothers are ineffective socialisation agents, especially for boys
-absent fathers means boys lack discipline and male role model so they gain status through crime, turning to delinquent role models
what is a key quote to do with socialisation and underclass?
‘crime rates are increasing because of a growing underclass or new rabble.’
who said that rational choice is a cause of crime?
clark
explain rational choice as a cause of crime?
-decision to commit a crime is a choice, as we have free will, with crime occurring as a result of a calculation
-calculation= weighing the reward with the costs and benefits
what are the 4 things people contemplate before committing a crime ?
1- what’s the risk?
2- what’s the benefit?
3- should i obey the law?
4- why should you not obey the law?
what did Felson say in support of rational choice?
for a crime to occur, there must be-
1- a motivated offender
2- a suitable target
3- absence of a capable guardian
what does the presence of a capable guardian do when someone is motivated to commit a crime?
it increases the risk so it is more likely to deter a potential offender
what is the solution to crime according to right realists?
increase the risk/cost of someone committing a crime
- ‘tough on the crime, tough on the criminal’
what are the 3 evaluation points of right realists and the causes of crime?
-ignores the causes of crime, punishment without rehabilitation does not work
-may explain some utilitarian crime but what about impulsive and violent crime
-contradiction, how can we be rational and calculate but lack intelligence and not know the difference between right and wrong
what do left realists believe in, including equality?
they believe in a gradual change, rather than a violent overthrow of capitalism, in order to achieve equality.
what do left realists say about explanations of crime?
we need explanations of crime that lead to practical and realistic solutions to crime .
what do left realists say about functionalists?
they ignore that crime is not always beneficial
what do left realists say about neo-marxists?
they romanticise WC criminals as ‘Robin Hood’ figures, ignore that WC target/victimise and other WC
what did left realists say about labelling theorists?
they ignore real victims of crime, see WC criminals as victims of labels, neglecting other victims
what do left realists say about crime rates and what did Young say?
they recognise that there has been a real increase in crime since 1950s, especially WC crime, as there was actually more victims not just more reports
YOUNG= there is then a crisis in explanation for theories of crime
what do left realists focus on surround WC crime?
they focus on how disadvantaged groups have a greater risk of becoming victims
what is the example that left realists may use to show that disadvantaged groups have a higher risk of becoming victims?
unskilled workers are 2x more likely to be burgled than other people
