Realist theories of crime and deviance: Flashcards
Key word:
What does marginalisation mean?
The exclusion of certain groups from society, which can lead to criminal behaviour due to limited opportunities and social inequality.
Key word:
What does subcultures mean?
Groups within a society that have different values, norms, and behaviours from the mainstream culture, often based on factors like age or interests.
Key word:
What does inadequate socialisation mean?
The lack of proper exposure to societal norms and values, leading to difficulties in social interaction and potentially problematic behaviours.
Key word:
What does underclass mean?
A segment of society that faces long-term poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
This group often lacks access to education, housing, and opportunities, leading to a cycle of disadvantage and potentially crime.
Key word:
What does biological factors mean?
Physical and genetic characteristics, like genetics, brain structure, and hormones, that influence behaviour and development.
Some traits such as low IQ can lead to crime.
Key word:
What does the broken window mean?
A theory that suggests that visible signs of disorder e.g. broken windows or graffiti, can lead to more crime and antisocial behaviour.
It argues that maintaining order in a community helps prevent further crime.
Key word:
What does situational crime prevention mean?
Intervention that focuses on reducing crime opportunities by making it harder or riskier to commit crimes e.g. better lighting and security.
Key word:
What does displacement mean?
When crime is being shifted to another area or type rather than being eliminated by prevention efforts.
Key word:
What does left realist mean?
Left realists view crime as a result of social inequality and advocates for social reform rather than focusing solely on punishment. (Socialist)
Key word:
What does right realism mean?
Right realists view crime as a result of individual choices advocating for strict harsh punishments to deter crime.
Advocate for social order through zero-tolerance. (Conservative)
Right realism:
How do right realists see crime?
Right realism views crime as a serious threat to social cohesion.
It emphasises the need for strict policies e.g. ‘zero tolerance,’ to combat crime.
Right realism:
How does right realism link with the shift towards the right in politics?
Realist approaches
to crime emerged in the 1970s and 1980s with right-wing governments in both the UK and USA
They advocated for harsher punishments in order to deter people from committing crime.
Right realists view on crime:
How do right realists view the causes of crime? (There are 3)
Right realists don’t believe that poverty and inequality causes crimes as even though the old are poor they don’t commit crime suggesting that it has something to do with values rather than inequality.
Right realists believe that crime is caused by three things:
e.g. Biological differences - those with lower IQ are more likely to commit crime
e.g. Inadequate socialisation - W/C people seek immediate gratification and are therefore more likely to commit crime.
e.g. Rational choice to offend - M/C are less likely to commit crime as they have more to lose
Right realists view on crime:
How do right realists see crime as being caused by biological differences? (use sociologist)
Wilson and Herrnstein (1985) argue that aggressiveness can lead to crime. This is because those who are aggressive are more likely to put themselves in high risk situations
Herrnstein and Murray (1994) - argued that low IQ can lead to crime. Those with lower IQ’s lack impulse control and have fewer opportunities, leading them to resort to criminal behaviour.
Right realists view on crime:
How do right realists see crime as being caused by socialisation? (use sociologist)
Murray argues underclass dependency on welfare leads to more crime. Welfare dependency undermines absent fathers resulting in poor socialisation, who turn to crime for status.
Bennett et al. (1996) argue that crime is normalised in W/C families and therefore learned behaviour as children are socialised into thinking that its normal/okay.
Key word:
What does rational choice theory mean?
Rational choice theory argues that people commit crimes based on weighing the benefits of crime against the potential risks or consequences.
If the benefits outweigh the risks, they are more likely to offend.
Right realists view on crime:
How do right realists see crime as being caused rational choice? (use sociologist)
Clarke (1980) argues that crime is a rational choice, where if the rewards outweigh the costs, crime is more likely. (there are not many risks for getting caught so more crime).
Felson (2002) - offenders acts rationally and being deterred by the presence of guardians showing how crime is a choice.
Criticisms of right realists view on crime:
What are the criticisms of the right realist view of crime?
It overstates offenders rationality. It does not explain impulsive or violent crime e.g. those who are in desperate poverty aren’t be making calculations, they are just going to do it.
Sees crime as being based on biology whereas in reality - IQ differences make for less than 3% of differences in offending.
Tackling crime:
How would right realists tackle crime?
They aim to reduce the rewards and increase the costs of crime by using methods like “target hardening,” greater use of prisons, and ensuring swift punishment to deter offenders.
Their main focus is on punishment and containment, rather than solving the how society creates crime through inequality.
Key word:
What is target hardening?
Making crime more difficult to commit.
Key word:
What is zero tolerance?
Punishing minor offenses to deter more serious crimes.
Tackling crime: Right realism:
How does zero-tolerance link to tackling crime? (use sociologist)
Wilson and Kelling (1982) argue that maintaining order is crucial to prevent crime.
They suggest that signs of deterioration should be dealt with immediately otherwise people will think this behaviour is okay.
Criticisms of Zero tolerance:
What are the criticisms of zero tolerance?
Focuses on street crime and ignores corporate crime which is more costly and harmful e.g. each year costs £4-5 billion whereas corporate crime costs £190 billion a year.
Allows the police to have the power to target certain groups leading to stigmatisation. This can result in disintegrative punishment, increasing the likelihood that individuals will commit crime due to their negative label.
Left realism:
How do left realists view crime?
Left realism views crime as being caused by inequality and supports gradual reform.
Taking crime seriously:
How do left realists and Marxists differ on their views of crime? (use sociologist)
Marxists (Gordon and Chambliss) due to exploitation and alienation this drives W/C people to crime as capitalism encourages competition for resources, leading to street and corporate crime.
Left realists (Young and Lea) argue that capitalism causes crime through social inequality, focusing on its impact on disadvantaged groups.
They suggest that relative deprivation leads to frustration, driving people to commit crime, and advocate for social reform
Taking crime seriously:
How do left realists and neo-Marxists differ on their views of crime? (use sociologist)
Left realists (Young and Lea) argue that crime is caused by social inequality, with relative deprivation leading to criminal behaviour. Advocate for policies to reduce poverty.
Neo-Marxists (Walton and Young) view crime as resistance to capitalist exploitation as the state protect the interests of the ruling class.
Key word:
What does aetiological crisis mean?
Crime rises during economic good and bad times.
The causes of crime:
What causes crime according to left realists?
Relative deprivation
Subculture
Marginalisation
The causes of crime:
How can relative deprivation cause crime? (use sociologists)
Runciman’s (1966) - people commit crime because they experience relative deprivation. When people want a certain lifestyle but can’t attain it through legitimate means they commit crime.
Lea and Young - Crime rates rise because the media increase people’s expectations, leading those who can’t afford these goods to turn to crime.
The causes of crime:
How can individualism lead to crime? (use sociologist)
Young (1999) argues that individualism weakens communities as everyone only looks out for themselves ‘dog eat dog world’
This loss of community leads to increased anti-social behaviour and crime as people have this mentality of ‘I deserve this’.
The causes of crime:
How can subcultures lead to crime?
Left realists believe criminal subcultures form as a response to relative deprivation - when people feel they can’t achieve mainstream goals like wealth or success.
Because of this they from a subculture in which the norms and values deviate from mainstream society and therefore lead to crime e.g. criminal subcultures
The causes of crime:
How do subcultures lead to different responses to crime? (use sociologist)
Different groups react in various ways. Some turn to crime to close the “deprivation gap,” (through legitimate ways e.g. conforming to society’s values.
e.g. using meritocracy to achieve goals) while others achieve these goals through illegitimate means such as the innovators that share the same values of society but achieve cultural goals through theft.
Pryce (1979) found that different groups formed different subcultures in order to meet their needs. Hustlers focused on crime and material gain and Pentecostal churchgoers promoted hard work and conformity. Religious subcultures provided comfort and encouraged moral values, helping to reduce crime.
Key word:
What is the American Dream?
Idea that regardless of background anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination.
The causes of crime:
How do criminal subcultures still follow mainstream values? (use sociologist)
Left realists argue that criminal subcultures still embrace mainstream values like materialism.
Young (2002) - in US ghettos, people are obsessed with the “American Dream” and brands like Gucci, BMW, and Nikes, but due to blocked opportunities, they resort to crime to achieve these goals.
The causes of crime:
How can marginalisation lead to crime?
Marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent their interests e.g. 10% of UK Parliament has BAME MP’s whereas in the country 14% of the population is made up of BAME citizens
These groups have no way to improve their situation.
As a result, their frustration and resentment often lead them to express their frustration through violence and crime.
Late modernity, exclusion and crime:
How has society being in a late modern era lead to more crime? (use sociologist)
Young (2002) argues that we are now in late modern society, where instability, insecurity, and exclusion have worsened crime.
He contrasts this with the 1950s and 1960s, which he calls the “Golden Age” of capitalism, marked by stability, full employment, a strong welfare state, low divorce rates, and strong communities.
During this time, there was a general agreement on right and wrong, and crime rates were lower.
Late modernity, exclusion and crime:
How has deindustrialisation lead to more crime?
De-industrialisation and the loss of unskilled jobs have led to higher unemployment, among young people and ethnic minorities, while many jobs are now short-term or low-paid (zero-hour contracts)
As well as this, New Right government policies reducing welfare spending e.g. Welfare Reform Act 2012 have destabilised families and communities, increasing the exclusion of those at the bottom of society (the W/C)
Key word:
What is cultural inclusion?
Ensuring that all cultural groups are respected, represented, and can fully participate in society without discrimination.
It promotes diversity and equal opportunity for everyone.
Key word:
What is economic exclusion?
When certain groups are denied access to jobs, fair wages, and essential services, leading to poverty and social inequality.
It often affects people based on class, ethnicity, gender, or disability.
Late modernity, exclusion and crime:
How has cultural inclusion and economic exclusion lead to an increase in crime? (use sociologist)
In late modern society, even the poor are exposed to materialistic and consumerist messages, raising their expectations for a better life.
However, despite the idea of meritocracy, they are denied the opportunities to achieve these goals e.g. not having the right qualifications.
Young compares the tension between cultural inclusion and economic exclusion to Merton’s concept of anomie. While society promotes material wealth and success, it doesn’t provide equal opportunities for everyone to achieve these goals, especially the poor.
This gap between cultural aspirations and blocked opportunities can lead to frustration, causing individuals to turn to crime or deviant behaviour to reach the goals they are taught to value.
Late modernity, exclusion and crime:
How can relative deprivation be felt through all social classes and how can this lead to crime?
In late modern society, relative deprivation is felt through all social classes. People resent the high rewards of the wealthy and the ‘laziness’ of the underclass as they live on state benefits.
Crime is spreading across all social classes and becoming more violent, including an increase in hate crimes. With weakening social norms public intolerance grows, leading to a society with low tolerance for crime e.g. 2024 summer attacks - where immigrants where blamed for taking state benefits/jobs.
Late modernity, exclusion and crime:
How has crime become more like anti-social behaviour? (use sociologist)
Young -since the 1990s, governments have expanded what counts as criminal behaviour e.g. Anti-social Behaviour Orders. These measures blur the lines between crime and anti-social behaviour, making more actions illegal.
Anti-social behaviour doesn’t have a clear definition and is based on personal judgment, meaning many different actions (like wearing hoodies or begging) can be seen as crimes.
While traditional crime rates go down, these new measures create a rise in “anti-social behaviour” instead.
Key word:
What is military policing?
Aggressive tactics like random stop-and-search and large-scale sweeps, focusing on control rather than community trust, which can alienate the public and damage police-community relations.
Tackling crime:
How do left realists want to tackle crime? (use sociologist)
Kinsey, Lea, and Young (1986) argue that low police clear-up rates and limited investigation time reduce the deterrent effect of policing. They suggest involving the public in setting police priorities.
As public support declines, especially in inner cities and among minorities, police resort to military-style tactics, like random stop-and-search, which alienates communities.
Left realists advocate for community-based policing that focuses on local concerns, improving investigations, shifting priorities, and involving the public in decision-making.
Tackling crime:
How do left realists want to tackle structural causes that lead to crime?
Left realists believe that improved policing alone won’t reduce crime. They argue that the root causes of crime lie in the unequal structure of society, and major structural changes are needed.
Solutions include addressing inequality of opportunity, tackling discrimination, providing decent jobs, improving housing and community facilities, and fostering tolerance by avoiding stereotypes of entire groups as criminal.
Tackling crime:
How has left realism affected government policy? (use sociologist)
Left realists have influenced government policy, especially the 1997-2010 New Labour government, which adopted a stance of being tough on crime.
Policies addressing assaults and ASBOs (1998 - used to target anti-social behaviour, such as vandalism, noise, or public drunkenness) reflected left realist concerns for vulnerable groups.
However, Young criticizes these policies as attempts to recreate a past ideal (the 1950s). He argues that the ASBOs failed to rebuild community.
Young also argues that governments have focused more on addressing crime’s symptoms rather than its root causes, such as inequality, and discrimination.
Evaluation of left realism:
How do Marxists criticise left realism’s view on crime?
Marxists criticise left realism for not addressing corporate crime, which is more harmful.
e.g. street crime costs on average £60 billion whereas corporate crime costs £190 billon but laws protect the M/C
Evaluation of left realism:
How do functionalists criticise left realists view on crime?
Functionalists argue that left realism’s focus on crime victims, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, overlooks the importance of maintaining social order and stability.
They believe crime signals dysfunction in social systems and that more attention should be given to strengthening social institutions like the family and education, rather than just addressing crime through punishment and interventions.
Comparing left and right realism:
What are the similarities between left and right realism?
Right Realists argue crime is a rational choice driven by individuals weighing rewards against risks, with low self-control leading to higher crime rates.
Left Realists see crime as a rational response to social inequality, where disadvantaged individuals may turn to crime to access resources or improve their lives.
Both agree crime is rational but differ in their focus on individual behaviour versus social conditions.
Comparing left and right realism:
What are the differences between left and right realism? e.g. politically
Right Realists emphasise traditional values, social order, and personal responsibility, advocating for stronger law enforcement and harsher punishments. They are linked to neo-conservatism.
Left Realists focus on social justice, equality, and addressing structural inequalities, promoting policies to reduce inequality and create fairer social conditions. They align with socialism.
Comparing left and right realism:
What are the differences between left and right realism? e.g. explanations of crime
Right Realists believe crime is caused by individual factors, especially a lack of self-control. They argue people commit crimes when the benefits outweigh the risks, often due to weak social bonds or insufficient deterrence, focusing on personal responsibility.
Left Realists argue that crime happens because of structural inequalities, arguing that disadvantaged groups turn to crime as a rational response to poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, viewing crime as a reaction to society’s failure to provide equal opportunities.
