Right Realism On Crime And Deviance Flashcards
Overview of Right realism?
Greatest influence on current home office policy because of practical policies on crime prevention
What does Wilson argue about crime and it’s prevention
Crime will always exist; focus on reducing impact rather than causes of crime
How does Right Realism view human nature?
Assume people are naturally selfish ( choose to commit crime, weighing up costs and benefits)
Why do Right Realists focus on tackling criminals rather than social causes of crime?
What 2 main methods do Right realists suggest to reduce crime?
Harsher punishments to deter future criminals unsuccessful because they often have little chance of being caught
Increase risk to criminals by increasing chances of detection
What is Rational choice theory and how does it explain criminal behaviour?
Clarke’s RCT:
Believes crime is a choice, if rewards outweigh risks,people will offend
What does Clarke identify as a reason for increased crime?
Poor policing, weak community controls, and lenient punishments.
How do weak community controls contribute to crime?
Weak community controls contribute to crime by making people too scared to report it, especially in high-crime areas, which in turn makes criminals feel safer.
Why might lenient punishments fail to prevent crime?
Criminals believe they have a low chance of getting caught and that punishments are too soft.
What does Hirschi’s control theory suggest about crime avoidance?
People avoid crime if the risks outweigh benefits.
What are some risks that may deter individuals from committing crime?
Risks include losing job, reputation, and family respect.
How does Hirschi’s control theory challenge Right Realism?
It suggests that crime is avoided when risks outweigh benefits.
Why do critics argue that Right Realism ignores structural causes of crime?
It ignores poverty, inequality, and capitalism, which Left Realists and Marxists argue are key crime factors.
What is Lyng’s concept of edgework, and how does it contradict Rational Choice Theory?
Crime is not always rational; some people commit crime for thrill-seeking and excitement.
What does Opportunity Theory suggest about where and why crime occurs?
Crime occurs when offenders see an opportunity, especially when the risk of getting caught is low.
What are the two factors that increase the likelihood of a crime happening?
Target attractiveness (how valuable an item is) and accessibility (how easy it is to steal).
Why are items like laptops more likely to be stolen?
They are small, portable, and valuable, making them an attractive target for thieves.
How does accessibility influence criminal decisions?
If an object is easy to access and escape with, crime is more likely.
