Right realism Flashcards
What do Hernstien and Wilson argue about biological determinism?
Biological difference between individuals make some individuals more predisposed to crime
Aggression and low impulse control signify people who are at greater risk of offending
What is the Warrior gene?
Individuals with this gene display higher level of aggression in response to provocation
What is a positive of Hernstein and Wilson?
If low intelligence was an explanation for why people commit it would explain why Asians are high in crime stats but are also high achievers in education.
How do Marxists criticise Herstein and Wilson?
Fails to explain the importance of material deprivation and social factors that lead to people committing crime out of necessity
What does Murray argue about inadequate socialisation?
Crime is increasing due to mounting underclass, who are defined by their deviant behaviour
Generous welfare state leads to dependancy
What is a criticism of Murray?
Assumes all people in the underclass are inadequately socialised
Deterministic
What did Taylor study and find?
Good boys and bad boys
Study in south London
Compared good boys - no criminal convictions, had caused teachers no trouble
Bad boys - at secure unite for unmanageable adolescents, persisted offenders.
68 boys between 12-16
Working class backgrounds lower than average interlectual ability
Both groups 40% dyslexic
Good boys 55% lived with bio fathers
bad boys 4% lived with bio fathers
A father who disproved of crime and showed interest in sons acted as a crucial social control, counteracted negative influences.
Boys lacking dads are more at risk of turning to crime
What does Clarke argue about rational choice theory?
Decision to commit a crime is based on a rational calculation of consequences
If perceived rewards outweigh the costs people are more likely to offend.
What are criticisms of Clarke?
Overstates offenders rationally and how far they have cost benefit calculations before committing a crime
Some people commit crime irrationally
What is zero tolerance policing?
Police should patrol the streets and take a short, sharp, shock approach
What do Wilson and Kelling argue the broken window thesis is?
It is essential to maintain orderly characteristic of neighbourhoods and reduce any signs of crime immediately
What is target hardening?
If you’re making it harder to commit crime this will reduce rewards of committing the crime and act as a deterrent.
