Realist Theories RIGHT

Question 1

Right realism

Answer 1

See crime as growing problem that destroys communities/undermines social cohesion/threatens societies work ethic

Think Labelling theory to sympathetic to criminal and hostile to forces of Law/order

Right realist concerned with providing realistic solutions

Question 2

Cause of crime - Right realist

Answer 2

Reject idea put forward by Marxist or other structural/economic factors such as poverty.

Think crime is product of the three factors biological differences/inadequate socialisation/the underclass/rational choice to offend

Question 3

Biological difference - RR

Answer 3

Wilson & Herrnstein = crime caused by biological/social functions. Some more strongly predisposed to commit crime + low intelligence cause of crime which they see as biologically determined.

Question 4

Socialisation and the underclass - RR

Answer 4

Charles Murray = crime increase as underclass increases and those who fail to socialise their children properly.

Lone mothers ineffectively socialisation children especially boys. Absent fathers mean boys lack role models so turn to delinquency + role model in the streets + gain status through crime instead of supporting family with a job.

Murray says underclass threatens social cohesion by undermining values of hard work and personal responsibility.

Crime increase = welfare dependency = decline marriage + growing of lone parents

Question 5

Rational choice theory - RR

Answer 5

Crime comes from rational choice- individuals have free will and power of reason .

Reward of crime outweighs cost/consequence

Question 6

Felsons - routine activity theory RR

Answer 6

For a crime to happen there must be a motivated offender + suitable target + absence of a “capable guardian”

Question 7

RR - tackling crime

Answer 7

Make crime less attractive.

Focus on control + punishment + containment rather than eliminating causes of offending

Question 8

Wilson + kellings = broken window theory

Answer 8

It’s essential to maintain the orderly character of neighbour hoods to prevent crime taking place = any sign of deterioration such as graffiti must be relate with immediately.

Fix the neighbourhood so it’s less rough and easy to commit crime

Question 9

Zero tolerance policy

Answer 9

low-level crime should not be tolerated eg prostitution.
Increase cost of crime to the offender eg by target hardening, greater use of prison and ensuring punishments follow soon after the offence to maximise their deterrent effect