right realism explanations of crime

Question 1

key areas

Answer 1

1. Individual Biological Differences
2. Underclass Theory
3. Inadequate socialisation and Rational Choice
4. Control Theory
5. Right Realist Focus on Tackling Crime

Question 2

Individual biological differences

Answer 2

Wilson and Hernstein - crime is through a combination of social and biological factors

• men’s biology makes them ‘temperamentally agressive’ as some men are stronger and more suited to crime
• Hernstein and Murray - main cause of crime = low intelligence - see this as biologically determined.
• increase of young men in a population will increase crime rates (1980s levels of young men went down but crime increased)

increase of young men in a population will increase crime rates ‘ through social explanations - Consistent discipline is needed to allow individuals to learn acceptable norms and values = develop self control

growth of immediate gratification, low impulse control and self - expression have affected the learning environment for young men and reduced restrains on their behaviour

• men less likely to conform = more likely to commit crime

Question 3

Individual biological difference eval

Answer 3

LRs / marxists / feminists argue right realism doesn’t take into consideration wider structural causes of crime - such as inequalities within capitalism

Question 4

Underclass theory

Answer 4

• effective socialisation can reduce crime - family (Right realists)
• Charles Murray - crime rates increasing due to growing underclass (growing - welfare) or ‘new Rabble’ - characterised by deviant behaviour facing to properly socialise children
• ‘Generous Revolution’ - since 60s allowing us to become more dependent on the state - led to lone parent families living off benefits

Murray - lone mothers cannot properly socialise sons - no male role model - turn to crime for status.

Murray - underclass threatens social cohesion, values of hard work and responsibility

• Wilson and Herstein - the crime rate will change when the costs and benefits change

Question 5

Inadequate socialisation and rational choice

Answer 5

• Right Realists believe individuals have free will and power of reason
• Ron Clarke - individuals make a rational decision to commit crime - weighed up consequences
• cost of crime = low + rewards = high leading to an increase in crime rates
• little risk of being caught - punishment = lenient

Felson’s Routine Activity Theory - crime will occur when : Motivated offender + absence of capable guardian = crime

• informal guardians such as neighbours are more effective than the police

Question 6

Inadequate socialisation and rational choice eval

Answer 6

fails to account for irrational kinds of crime such as street violence where cost v benefit isnt weighed up before action - PM argue the thill is stronger than rational choice

Question 7

Control theory

Answer 7

Travis Hirschi believed people are rational in terms of their actions and choices
- they weigh ip costs and benefits and make decisions

• vast majority do not commit crime - 4 key control on life - these controls prevent us from turning to crime + they come with age

Bonds of attachment

1. Attachment - being committed to. family relationships
2. Commitment - people may have built up careers which would be lost to criminality
3. Involvement - being heavily involved in community life would be destroyed through criminality
4. Belief - people may have been brought up to be committed to the rules of society

Question 8

Tackling crime

Answer 8

1. Environmental solutions - broken window thesis

• key aim is to make crime ‘less attractive- RR will not look into the social/biological factors/rehab or eliminating underlying causes as these cannot be changes easily
• main focus is on control, containment and punishment of offender
• crime and social order are closely linked - crime unchecked can spread and increase, there are consequences to inactions
• any deterioration of the area must be dealt with immediately or more crime will grow as criminals believe that the costs are low

2. Zero Tolerance policing

• strong tactics are needed by the police to eradicate behaviours, such as prostitution etc
• aim of the Police is to clamp down on those going against norms and values of society to ensure law abiding members feel safe
• police have limited resources and they should prioritise their efforts to areas which can be turned.

3. Reduce the Rewards

‘target hardening’ is focused on greater use of prisons, punishment following immediately after the offence has taken place

we should make the benefit of crime harder by improving home security, door locks etc