Right realism Flashcards
what is right realist stand on crime
- they say that it is a growing problem especially street crime and that it threatens to destroy communities
- Also the idea that it undermines social cohesion and societies work ethic
what do the right realists criticize other theories for not doing?
They criticize other sociologists for not offering any ick and practical solution for the problem of crime.
what do they claim are the reasons for crime?
They believe that crime s not a result of economical factors and that it is instead they believe that the main three causes of crime are
- biological difference
- inadequate socialization
- rational choice to offend
Explain how biological differences cause people to start causing crime?
Wilson and Herrnstein put forward the idea that based on some peoples biology that they will be genetically predisposed to certain character traits leading them to be more likely to commit crime.
Explain the idea of inadequate socialization being a reason for crime.
they argue that despite those biological differences being socialized properly will significantly reduce the risk of committing a crime.
- because it will lead to the child learning valuable skills like self control and internalizing societies standards
What did Murray say the rise in crime is due to?
The idea that single families are not able to socialize there kids properly and any family other then a self sufficient nuclear family will fail to socialize their kid adequately.
What is rational choice theory?
- the idea we all have free will to choose what to do with our lives
Ron Clarke said that the decision to make crime is a choice based on rational calculations of the potential consequences for getting caught. - If the reward outweighs the potential punishment you will most likely commit the crime.
What are some criticism of right realists?
One is that it ignores wider structural causes such as poverty
also that it does not explain impulsive crime
How do right realists tackle crime?
- they argue that factors like biological and socialization are too difficult to pick out and directly fix so they believe in instead seeking practical measures to try and stop crime.
- they instead focus on control, containment and punishment of offenders then eliminating the original problem.
Also that crime prevention policies should reduce rewards and increase costs of committing crimes
What is the glass window theory
The idea that if one broken window is left unfixed it will lead to many windows being broken
- (in context) unregulated low levels of crime will lead to more crime
How did broken window influence policies
Specific example in 1990s New York and how it heavily influenced policy change to crack down on low level crime
- three strike system
What are some evaluations of broken window
- in New York there was a 40% drop in serious crimes and 50% drop in homicide
- however could be a random correlation as New York was facing economical growth at the time
