Realist theories of crime Flashcards
How do Realist theories differ from Labelling theory and Critical criminology?
Labelling theorists and critical criminology see crime as social constructed rather than a real fact. Realists see crime as a real problem, especially for its victims.
How do Realist approaches divide along political lines?
Right realists are right wing and share a conservative, New right political outlook and support a ZT stance on crime. Left realists are Left wing, who are reformist socialists and favour policies to promote equality. ( Labour , new labour)
What is Right realists view on crime ( 4 views)
Crime is not a social construction ( statistics are real) There is a rise in crime and we need to address it Crime undermines social cohesion
Crime is a real problem that needs real solutions
What is RR practical solution to crime?
They are concerned with practical solutions to reduce crime, the best way to do this is through control and punishment, rather than by rehabilitating offenders or tackling causes such as poverty.
Why is RR useful straightaway?
It gives a solution to crime unlike labelling theory.
What factors do RR reject?
they reject the idea that structural or economic factors such as poverty are causes of crime. e.g. they point out that the old tend to be poor yet have a very low crime rate.
For RR crime is a product of 3 factors which is what?
Biological differences
Inadequate socialization and the under class Rational choice theory
Why is Biological differences a product of crime? including sociologists?
According to Wilson and Hernstein (1985) crime is caused by a combination of biological and social factors. These differences between individuals make some people innately more likely to commit crime through personality traits like aggressiveness and also low intelligence.
What is A03 evaluation against biological differences as a product of crime?
critics argue that evidence for intelligence being biologically determined is limited. Even if it is it may not explain offending : Lily et al 2002 found that differences in intelligence accounted for only 3 % of the difference in offending.
Why is Inadequate socialization and the underclass a product of crime? including sociologists?
Murray : crime is rising due to an increase in the underclass who rely on the welfare state, as well as increase in lone parent families and a failing to socialise children properly, making them more likely to offend.
Why is the Rational choice theory a cause of crime? including sociologists?
Clarke’s (1980) The decision to commit crime is a choice based on a rational calculation of the likely consequences. If the perceived rewards of crime outweight the perceived costs then people will be more likely to offend.
What is an A03 evaluation of Rational choice theory?
How can criminals be both rational actors freely choosing crime, while their behaviour is determined by biology and socialisation.
How do RR believe about the solutions to crime?
They thought it is pointless trying to tackle underlying causes of crime ( biological), since these are hard to change, so instead they focus on controlling and punishing offenders rather than rehabilitation.
Crime policies should therefore reduce what?
It should reduce the rewards and increase the costs of crime to the offender ( increasing deterrent of crime)
What is the solutions for RR?
Zero tolerance policies. Broken window policies
Who argues the Broken windows theory and explain it? a way of stopping crime. ?
Wilson & Kelling’s Broken Windows theory says any sign of deterioration such as graffiti must be dealt with immediately in order to prevent crime taking a hold
What is Zero tolerance?
They ( Wilson & Kelling’s) advocate a zero tolerance policy towards undesirable behaviour so that law abiding citizens feel safe.
Why is ZT useful?
It tackles small, low level crimes harshly to deter of thinking about commiting serious crimes.
Where was ZT first employed and what were the results?
This was first introduced in New York in 1994 and reduced crime in 1994 ( major city crime reduced by 39% and murder has fallen by 49%). In London, 81% of residents said they felt safer thanks to ZT policies.
What is a A03 critque of Zero tolerance?
Zero tolerance policies allow police to discriminate against ethnic minorities ( labelling theorists would say that the police can label stretoypes leading to certain groups being targeted than others e.g. 29 year old man chocked to death by police man
What is an A03 evaluation against ZT?
However, Young argues that its success was a myth because the crime rate had already been falling and police just defined deviance up so they could arrest more people and justify their existence. So ZT was just a product of the police way of coping with a decline already happening.
What is another A03 eval of ZT?
ZT doesn’t solve anything, it doesn’t solve the issue of reality, leading to displacement of crime to other areas.
What is situational crime prevention ( another solution of solving crime?
Dealing with the situation to make it more difficult to commit a crime and discourage crime from taking place. Stems from the idea ppl commit crime due to rational choice such as Target hardening and CCTV.
