Right Realism Flashcards
what do right realists say the root cause of crime is?
biology, poor socialisation and the underclass, people make a rational choice to commit crime.
does right realism think poverty and inequality cause crime?
no, they reject structural causes and argues crime happens due to poor choices, weak morals, or the lack of self-control.
what role do biological and social factors play in crime according to right realism?
some individuals are biologically more likely to commit crime i.e., low intelligence, and poor socialisation like weak parenting, increases criminal behaviour.
what is the rational choice theory in right realism?
it states people commit crimes when they think the rewards outweigh the risks, meaning criminals make rational decisions.
what is the broken windows theory?
it suggests that minor crimes, like vandalism, create an environment for more serious crime, so maintaining order reduces crime.
what is zero tolerance policing?
a tough approach to all types of crime, even small ones, to create a sense of law and order through strict enforcement.
what does right realism say about rehabilitation?
it criticises rehabilitation and believes deterrence, the fear of punishment, is more effective in reducing crime.
what types of solutions does right realism propose?
measures like CCTV, neighbourhood watch programs, harsh punishments, and strong policing to reduce crime immediately.
is there any way to criticise right realism?
YES! it focuses on individual responsibility and ignores how poverty, inequality, and social conditions contribute to crime. it also places too much emphasis on traits like low intelligence, which lacks strong evidence and feels overly deterministic. they also oversimplify criminal behaviour, Rational Choice Theory assumes all criminals think logically, ignoring impulsive or emotionally driven crimes
can you criticise the broken windows theory?
Focuses on minor offenses, leading to over-policing and targeting marginalised groups unfairly.
