Right Realist Perspective

Question 1

What did Wilson say?

Answer 1

He felt that sociology didn’t solve the problem of crime as crime is inevitable. Instead, the focus should be on preventing the effect of crime. He also believed heavier punishment would deter people from crime.

Question 2

What 5 key things do right realists believe about crime and society?

Answer 2

1. Value consensus underpins society. 2. People are naturally selfish 3. Community is important. 4. Crime is a rational choice. 5. Crime is inevitable.

Question 3

What did Cornish and Clarke come up with?

Answer 3

Rational choice theory.

Question 4

What did Wilson and Kelling come up with?

Answer 4

The Broken Window Thesis. Unless crime is kept at a minimum, the neighbourhood will decline due to things such as vandalism.

Question 5

What did Murray come up with?

Answer 5

The idea of the underclass.

Question 6

What are the 4 tactics right realists suggest to prevent crime?

Answer 6

1. Zero Tolerance Policing. 2. Increased CCTV Surveillance. 3. Target Hardening. 4. Deterrence sentencing

Question 7

Whats target hardening?

Answer 7

Strengthening a building from crime.

Question 8

Whats zero tolerance policing?

Answer 8

Police showing zero tolerance for petty crimes.

Question 9

What are 3 strengths of right realism?

Answer 9

1. It provides policy’s to help prevent it. 2. It recognises the importance of community. 3. The policies they suggest are relatively cheap to implement.

Question 10

What are 4 weakness of right realism?

Answer 10

1. It does not look at wider structural causes of crime. 2. Zero tolerance could increase hostility. 3. It does not include white collar and corporate crime. 4. It assumes all criminals are rational, looking over things such as crimes of passion.

Question 11

Why does right realism have the most influence on home office policy?

Answer 11

Because of the practical polices which can be derived from it.