Right Realism Flashcards
What is the right realist perspective of crime?
Develops functionalist theory and provides a contemporary perspective
One of the few theories which provides suggestions of how to reduce crime
The basis of right realism is a negative view of human nature (that people are naturally selfish and greedy), these characteristics are the causes of crime and deviance - humans need to be subject to social controls and socialised into appropriate behaviour
Jeremy Bentham
Utilitarianism
This is the idea that laws are for the benefit of the largest number of people (greatest good)
Suggested that any person who carried out acts that were detrimental to society should be punished with imprisonment
Highlighted the importance of surveillance and suggested that those who were under surveillance would behave more obediently
Society is like a panopticon
Ronald Clarke
Rational Choice Theory
Argues that the decision to commit crime is a choice based on a rational calculation of the potential consequences versus the potential rewards
If the rewards of crime appear to be greater than the potential costs, then people are more likely to commit crime
People make a rational choice to commit criminal acts
Jeremy Bentham
Hedonistic Calculus
A number of factors are involved in the calculation to commit crime:
*Intensity - what is the strength of the feeling of pleasure or pain
*Duration - how long would the pleasure/pain last
*Certainty/Uncertainty - how sure can we be that the action will result in pleasure or pain
*Remoteness - is the pleasure/pain immediate or will it be delayed
*Fecundity - does the action have the ability to reproduce the same sort of feelings
*Purity - is there a chance that the pleasure of an action will lead to further pain
*Extent - how far reaching is the action regarding people impacted as a result
James Wilson
Broken Window
Argues that where there are examples of low level deviance, more serious crimes will follow
3 key factors affecting long term crime:
*Number of Young Males - subcultures, status frustration, hegemonic masculinity
*Costs/Benefits of Crime - deprived areas have less to lose
*Inadequate Socialisation - single parent families are a major factor, lack of discipline in schools, media that glamourises crime and secularisation are other contributory factors
James Wilson
Target Hardening
A control approach to crime, and attempts to limit the frequency of crime by making potential targets more secure and less attractive to potential criminals, with the intention of deterring them
Examples:
-alarms
-security lights
-fences
Wilson & Bernstein
Crime & Human Nature
There’s a biological element to crime; some people are born with a predisposition towards crime
Potential for deviant behaviour is more likely to be realised if they’re not socialised properly
Charles Murray
Underclass
Suggested the excessive welfare state creates a dependency culture of people who do not work; these have become underclass
3 key areas influencing crime within the underclass:
*Fatherless Families - father’s absence means kids run wild, cohabitation doesn’t provide a stable child learning environment
*Rising Working Class Crime Rates - destroys communities by creating fear, boys follow the only role models they know and turn to crime
*High Levels of Unemployment - young fathers can’t support a family so don’t get married, young barbarians prove themselves through criminality instead of paid work
Hirschi & Gottfredson
Self Control Theory of Crime
People who commit crime have a lack of self control
Individuals who were ineffectually parented develop less self control
Low levels of self control link with criminality
Walter Reckless
Containment Theory
Inner Containment:
-a person’s self conception or self image of being a good person is an insulator against peer pressure to engage in delinquency - developed through family
Outer Containment:
-a reflection of strong social relationships
Right Realists
Solutions to Crime
- Zero tolerance policing
- Target hardening
- Greater use of prisons
- Cut welfare benefits
- Tougher punishments
- Responsible parenting
