Realist theories of crime Flashcards
What do realists argue about the crime rate?
They argue that there has been a significant rise in the crime rate - especially street crime, burglary and assault
What do realists argue about other theories?
They argue that other theories have failed to offer realistic solutions to the problem of crime and they propose what they regard as practical policies to reduce it
Outline the right realist view
They share the New Right or neo-conservative political outlook and support a toughened stance on crime
Outline the left realist view
They are socialists who favour early intervention to prevent crime
How do realists see crime?
They see crime as a real problem to be tackled, and not just a social construction created by the control agencies
Who is the main theorist associated with right realism?
James Q Wilson
How do right realists differ from left realists?
They argue that the best way to reduce crime was through control and punishment, rather than rehabilitating offenders or tackling causes of crime such as poverty
For right realists, crime is the product of what 3 factors?
Individual biological differences, inadequate socialisation and the underclass and rational choice to offend
What sort of theory do Wilson and Hernstein put forward?
A bio social theory of criminal behaviour
What do Hernstein and Murray argue to be the main cause of crime?
Low intelligence, which they see as biologically determined
What does Murray believe to be the cause of the increasing crime rate?
He argues that the crime rate is increasing because of a growing underclass who are defined by their deviant behaviour and who fail to socialise their children properly as a result of welfare dependency
What does the rational choice theory assume?
That individuals have free will and the power of reason
Who argues that the decision to commit a crime is a choice based on a rational calculation of the likely consequences?
Ron Clarke
According to rational choice theory, why do individuals choose to commit a crime?
If the perceived rewards are greater than the potential costs of committing the crime
How does Marcus Felsons routine activity theory explain the occurrence of a crime?
He argues that for a crime to occur there must be a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a ‘capable guardian such as a policeman
What theory do Wilson and Kelling advocate to explain crime and how does it do so?
The Broken Windows theory which assumes that any signs of deterioration within in community encourage deviance
What policy do Wilson and Kelling propose to deal with crime?
A Zero Tolerance policy that cracks down on the slightest signs of deviance
What do Right realists believe crime prevention strategies should do?
Reduce the rewards and increase the costs of crime to the offender such as target hardening
What are right realists criticised for ignoring?
Wider structural causes of crime such as poverty
What sorts of crime do right realists ignore?
Corporate crime
What are the negative consequences of Zero Tolerance policing?
It gives police free rein to discriminate against ethnic minority groups and results in the displacement of crime
Who is the key theorist within left realism?
Jock Young
What is the central idea behind left realism?
Crime is a real problem, and one that particularly affects the disadvantaged groups who are its main victims
How do left realists disagree with traditional Marxists?
They argue that it neglects working class crime and its effects
How do left realists disagree with Neo-Marxists?
They point out that in fact working class criminals mostly victimise other working class people, not the rich
What does Young argue has been caused by an increase in the level of crime amongst the working class?
An aetiological crisis
What is an aetiological crisis?
A crisis in explanation for theories of crime
What three causes of crime do Lea and Young identify?
Relative deprivation, marginalisation and subculture
What stage does Young argue that we are now living in?
Late modernity
What characteristics of late modernity does Young believe increases crime?
Instability, insecurity and exclusion
What has increased people’s sense of relative deprivation?
Greater inequality between the rich and the poor and the spread of free market values which has encouraged individualism
What three things does Young note increases relative deprivation?
The media, greater emphasis on leisure and the ideology of meritocracy
How can a late modern society be described?
A high-crime society with a low tolerance for crime
What do left realists propose is a solution to tackling crime?
They argue that we must both improve policing and control, and deal with the deeper structural causes of crime
