Right realism

Question 1

Value consensus

Answer 1

• Value consensus underpins society

- society only functions when there’s strong social order

Question 2

All people are selfish

Answer 2

• Can’t trust individuals to make good choices if they can get away with crime. We need harsh punishment to deter people.

Question 3

Community control

Answer 3

• Government control will decrease crime. We can embed behaviours we want into education and family policy.

Question 4

Rational choice theory

Answer 4

• Criminals know what they’re doing is wrong but choose to do it regardless.

Question 5

Cornish and Clarke

Answer 5

Recommend heavy policing, harsh punishments and making examples of those caught.

Question 6

Opportunity theory

Answer 6

• People choose to commit crime only when there’s a beneficial opportunity or it’s easy.
• We can reduce crime by reducing these opportunities.

Question 7

Crime will always exist

Answer 7

• Right realists believe that crime is a natural part of society’s structure.

Question 8

Strengths of right realism

Answer 8

• Provides policies for reducing the opportunity for crime

- Recognises, like left realism, the importance of community control

Question 9

Limitations of right realism

Answer 9

• Doesn’t address the wider structural causes of crime
• Doesn’t pay attention to white collar crimes and ‘hidden crimes’
• Suggests offenders act rationally when some crimes may be done on impulse.