Realist perspective on crime Flashcards
What do realist theories accept regarding crime statistics?
They accept crime stats and see crime as a rising problem.
How do left realist theories propose to tackle crime?
By reforming and reducing the causes of crime through structural changes.
How do right realist theories view crime in relation to functionalism?
They agree with functionalists.
According to Young (1983), who are most victims of street crime?
Poor individuals, not rich.
What does Young (1983) suggest about the causes of crime?
It looks at individuals and the causes that lead them to commit crime.
What are local victim surveys, like the Islington Crime Survey, criticized for?
Being unreliable.
What are the three factors identified by Lea & Young (1983) that contribute to crime?
- Relative deprivation
- Subculture
- Marginalisation
What does relative deprivation refer to in the context of crime?
Lack of economic success and unmet consumption patterns leading to crime.
How can subcultures encourage criminality according to Lea & Young?
By providing norms and values that promote crime to deal with relative deprivation.
What does marginalisation entail in the context of crime?
Being on the fringe of society and using violence or riots for political action.
What did Gibbs & Merighi (1994) find about the black community?
Marginalised by poverty, housing, and jobs, leading to anger and crime.
What criticism did Hughes (1991) have regarding Lea & Young’s theory?
It fails to explain what motivates individuals to commit crime.
What is Jones’s (1998) criticism of the theory of relative deprivation?
Not all deprived individuals commit crime, leading to over-prediction.
What are the four elements of the Square of Crime as proposed by Matthews (1993)?
- State
- Informal control (public)
- Offender
- Victim
What approach does the Square of Crime combine?
Combines approaches of subculture (offender) and labelling (social reaction), including the victim.
What is the Rational Choice theory as proposed by Wilson (1975)?
Crime is a choice where individuals weigh the benefits of criminality against the risks of getting caught.
What did Katz (1988) suggest about impulsive crimes?
The emotional appeal and thrill of crime are important factors.
What is the Broken Windows theory by Wilson & Kelling (1982)?
If a single broken window is left unrepaired, it can lead to area deterioration; police should adopt zero tolerance for minor crimes.
What limitation does the Broken Windows theory have?
It offers solutions but limits support for underlying issues.
What does Murray (1990) attribute the growth of crime to?
The underclass, which encourages welfare dependency.
What does the Routine Activities theory by Cohen & Felson (1979) identify as necessary for crime to occur?
- Individuals motivated to commit crime
- Availability of opportunities and targets
- Lack of capable guardians
What is the focus of the Routine Activities theory?
It emphasizes situational crime prevention by protecting targets rather than focusing on the offender’s actions.
