right realist views of crime Flashcards
how do realist theories differ from labelling and critical criminology theory?
they see crime as a real problem, not as socially constructed.
what are some key reasons that right realists would say cause crime?
biological differences, inadequate socialisation, rational choice theory, broken windows.
what would wilson and herstein say about causes of crime?
right realists - suggest crime is caused by combo of biological and social factors. biological including violence or low IQ.
what would murray say about causes of crime (right realist)?
inadequate socialisation causes crime.
increase in family diversity, leading to single parent families - creates dependency culture forming an underclass where children aren’t socialised properly. men don’t support family so no male role model.
what does denis say about causes of crime (right realist)?
direct link between decline in nuclear family and increase in youth crime. no internal social control within families due to no father so young men turn to crime.
what does clarke say about causes of crime? (right realist)
rational choice theory - individuals have free will and committing crime is a choice based on rational calculation of consequences and rewards.
crime rates are high because consequences are low
ao3 of clarke’s view on rational choice?
lyng - edgework - the idea that crime is fun and exciting, not a thought through decision.
what do right realists wilson and kelling mean by ‘broken windows’?
various signs of disorder and lack of concern for others in community. eg noise, graffiti, begging etc. leaving ‘broken windows’ unrepaired sends message that no one cares.
no informal/formal social control. respectable people move out and area becomes magnet for crime.
ao3 of wilson and kelling’s broken window theory?
doesn’t address how problem actually started.
briefly, what are some right realist solutions?
situational crime prevention, target hardening,environmental improvement strategy, zero tolerance, criminal behaviour order, troubled families program.
what is it called when the physical environment is used to make it harder to commit crime?
situational crime prevention.
what is target hardening?
making it more difficult to commit crime, eg locking doors, cctv, valuables hidden.
what is an example of situational crime prevention?
bus terminal in nyc which allowed for drug dealing, gay orgies and rough sleeping. they changed layout to ‘design crime out’ eg by reducing size/number of cubicles.
ao3 of situational crime prevention?
+ crime did reduce in nyc after bus terminal changed.
- doesn’t deal with cause of crime, just displaces spatially or temporally.
- ignores white collar crime.
what is wilson and kelling’s environmental improvement strategy (right realist)?
any broken windows must be repaired otherwise neighbourhood will turn deviant.
