Realist theories

Question 1

right vs left realists

Answer 1

right - similar to new right , support get tough stance on crime

left - similar to socialists , argue theres structural causes of crime such as poverty

Question 2

3 causes of crime according to left realists

Answer 2

relative deprivation

marginalisation

subculture

Question 3

how does relative deprivation cause crime (leftist)

which theorist

Answer 3

Runciman - refers to how deprived someone feels in relation to others. crime because ppl feel resentment that others have more than them - that its unfair and so resort to crime to get what theyre entitled to

Question 4

Lea Young on relative deprivation

Answer 4

todays society both more prosperous and more crime ridden - more awareness of relative deprivation due to media and advertising - raises expectations and they resort to crime to get them

Question 5

evaluation of relative deprivation

Answer 5

its not relative deprivation its individualism which is the concern of self and individual rights rather than group

encourages pursuit of self interest at expense of others

Question 6

how does marginalisation cause crime (left realism)

Answer 6

marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent interests unlike workers (trade unions)

• unemployed youth are marginalised - just have a sense of resentment and frustration - powerless to use political means so express frustration thru rioting

Question 7

evaluation as marginalisation as a cause for crime

Answer 7

women and asians are marginalised and do not have high crime rates

Question 8

how do subcultures cause crime (left realism)

Answer 8

to solve relative deprivation ppl join subcultures - religion to fill deprivation (weber - ‘theodicy of disprivilege’ - promise of salvation as a reward for poverty)

• another way is crime - subscribe to goals and values of mainstream society but use crime to achieve them

Question 9

how has employment changed from the 50s

Answer 9

less manual, traditional jobs that are for WC males - factories shut down my thatcher

Question 10

who talks about a bulimic society

Answer 10

Young

Question 11

what does Young talk about (left realism)

Answer 11

bulimic society because we are over-exposed to consumerism
- advertising shows what life should be like
- poor cannot afford to improve lifestyle - resentment , anger at relative deprivation
- London riots - 15,000 admitted they looted to improve lifestyle

Question 12

what is a policy example of left realists

Answer 12

working tax credits - govt payment to help day to day expenses to working people. 2k per year

(help tackle poverty)

Question 13

evaluating left realism (4)

Answer 13

• idealistic - not anymore realistic than marxists - society will never be equal
• offers solutions to tackle structural causes such as working tax credits
• surely women would commit crime if it was due to exclusion

-fails to account for crimes that are not street crimes

Question 14

what do left realists argue about police

Answer 14

consensus policing - public need to have more confidence in police so they would report more crimes
if public worked with police there would be less crime since it would be less easy for ppl to get away with crime

Question 15

3 right realist causes of crime

Answer 15

biological differences
inadequate socialisation and the underclass
rational choice theory

Question 16

Lombroso on biological differences

Answer 16

people born as atavistic criminals possessing certain physical defects associated with criminality such as large eye sockets or sloping forehead

Question 17

Wilson and Hernstein (right realism)

Answer 17

crime is caused by combo of social and biological factors such as low intelligence

Question 18

how is socialisation meant to decrease risk of crime

Answer 18

learning self control and internalising moral values of right and wrong
- done best in nucelar family

Question 19

murray on inadequate socialisation

Answer 19

crime increasing = growing underclass who are defined by deviant behaviour - fail to socialise children properly - result of growing welfare state

Question 20

how can behaviour of underclass encourage crime (3)

Answer 20

• no traditional discipline from fathers (welfare state so fathers encouraged to leave)
• rising crime in lower class males so SFP
• crisis of masculinity in WC boys who have less manual jobs to turn to

Question 21

what is rational choice theory

which theorist

Answer 21

percieved costs of crime are low due to chances of not getting caught/lenient sentances so crime increasing

• decision based on rational calculation of likely consequneces of crime( Clarke)

Question 22

Felson and rational choice theory

Answer 22

must be motivated offender , a suitabe target, and abscence of capable guardian

Question 23

what is right realists focus on stopping crime

Answer 23

control, containment and punishment
- do not believe in eliminating causes or rehabilitation

Question 24

3 examples of right realist approaches to crime

Answer 24

• broken windows - maintain neighbourhoods appearance and any sign of deterioration is dealt with straight away
• zero tolerance on undesirable behaviour such as protestitution
• target hardening - greater use of prisons to deter

Question 25

5 evaluations of right realism

Answer 25

• influential in UK/USA law
• doesnt deem criminal to be passive
• puts forward solutions
• ignores wider structural causes
• advocating zero tolerance gives police free rein to discriminate ethnic minorities and homeless