Right Realist Flashcards
How do biological differences cause crime?
Make some people innately more strongly predisposed to commit crime than others (Wilson)
e.g. personality traits
What does effective socialisation do?
Decreases chance of individual offending
What is the cause of crime rates increasing?
Due to a growing underclass who are defined by their defiant behaviour and who fail to socialise their children properly
What does Murray argue?
Underclass growth is due to welfare dependency
What is a problem with lone parents?
They’re ineffective socialisation agents, especially for boys
What is a problem with absent fathers?
Boys lack paternal discipline - return to other young males as a result - gain status/support/family through crimes
What does the rational choice theory assume?
That individuals have free will and the power of reason
What does Clarke argue regarding the rational choice theory?
Decision to commit crime is a choice based on a rational calculation of the consequences
What does Felson argue about the rational choice theory?
Routine activity theory - people make a rational choice based on opportunity
What does Wilson and Kelling argue about the solutions to crime?
It is essential to maintain the orderly character of neighbourhood to prevent crimes taking hold
Any signs of deterioration (broken windows, vandalism) must be dealt with immediately
What does Right Realists argue about solutions to crime?
Zero tolerance policy towards undesirable behaviour (prostitution)
What should the role of the police be?
To focus on controlling the streets so that law-abiding citizens feel safe
What should be used more to prevent crime?
Prisons
What do you need to ensure about punishments?
The need to follow soon after the offence to maximise their deterrent effect
Name 3 criticisms of this theory
Ignores wider structural factors (poverty)
Ignores corporate crimes
Overstates offenders rationality and how far they make cost-benefit calculations before committing a crime - may explain some utilitarian crimes, but may not explain much violent crime
