Right realist theory

Question 1

What do right realists argue

Answer 1

New rights theory onc rime,emerged in 1980s and argues:

• criminals choose to break the law
• those who are badly socialised ar emore likely to break the law as humans are naturally greedy and selfish
• therefore crime is inevitable and can only be reduced
• therefore the role of government is to punish the criminals not to ereadicate the mythical causes of crime such as educational underachievment

Question 2

Wilson and Herrnstein(bio)

Answer 2

W+H;crime is casued bya combination of biological and social factors.
Biological factors make some people innately predisposed to commit crime than others EG aggressivness,risk taking and low impulse control

Question 3

Herrnstein and Murray

Answer 3

argue the main case of crime is low intelligence which they see as biologically determined.
However biological predisposition to offend can be decreased throguh effective socialisation as it teaches self control and difference between wrong and right.If socialisation fails it leads to criminality.

Question 4

Murray(development of underclass and inadequate socialisation)

Answer 4

Murray argues crime rate is increasing because of the growing underclass  as a result of welfare dependancy.
-dependancy culture-led to a decline in marriafe and increase in single mothers who live on benefits,also men have no responsibility of children so dont work
U/C mothers can socialise children due to lack of positive male role model as a result children cause much of the delinquent behaviour as they turn to negative role models who gain status through crime

Question 5

Clarkson(calculation of risk)

Answer 5

Clarke argues decision to commit crime is a choice based on rational calculation of consequences.

• If the reward is greater than the possible cost of crime they are more likely to break the law
• as a result of soft policies onc rime cost of crime is low(chance of getting caught is low and punishment is lenient).
• Therefore there is a rise in crime

Question 6

evaluation of causes of crime

Answer 6

STRENGTHS;
their proposals for crime prevention have been influential
WEAKNESS:
-ignore wider structural caused of crime such as poverty
-fails to explain non utilitarian crime such as poverty as well as utilitarian crimes commited by m/c
-over emphasises biological factors causing crime