Right Realism - Causes of Crime

Question 1

Outline right realism

Answer 1

They share the New Right or neo-conservative political outlook

Question 2

Outline the right realist view on crime

Answer 2

• They see crime, especially street crime, as a real and growing problem that destroys social cohesion and it requires a solution.
• They are less concerned about the causes of crime and are in search for practical crime control measures

Question 3

Describe biological differences as a cause of crime

Answer 3

• Wilson and Herrnstein argue that specific personality traits, such as aggressiveness, are more likely to steer people to crime and make them more predisposed to committing crime.
• e.g. 90% of violent crime is committed by men, could be because of higher testosterone that is linked to aggression

Question 4

What is a weakness of the biological theory as a cause of crime?

Answer 4

Not all men automatically commit crime so they’re must be an environmental influence

Question 5

Describe inadequate socialisation as a cause of crime

Answer 5

• Murray argues the growing underclass fails to socialise their children, causing crime to rise
• Murray notes that the underclass is growing due to welfare dependency, which has led to an increase in lone parent, matrifocal families, as mothers and children live off benefits
• Murray claims lone mothers ineffectively socialise boys, as absent fathers means a lack of a male role model and they turn to delinquent role models and gain status through crime

Question 6

What is a weakness of poor socialisation as a cause of crime?

Answer 6

Feminist would argue that women can be effective role models, and the nuclear family isn’t as harmonious as right realists claim, as there are high rates of domestic abuse which shouldn’t be preferable over a lone parent family

Question 7

Describe rational choice theory as a cause of crime?

Answer 7

• Ron Clarke argues the decision to commit crime is an individual choice as we weigh up the perceived rewards and costs of crime, and if the rewards are greater, then crime is likely
• Right realists argue that the perceived costs of crime are low which is why crime rate has increased

Question 8

What is a weakness of rational choice theory as a cause of crime?

Answer 8

The view that criminals are rational actors freely choosing to commit crime conflicts with the claim that their behaviour is determined by their biology and socialisation