Right wing views

Question 1

What are the right-wing views on crime?

Answer 1

• Equality is not possible and talented people should be given the incentive to work hard by being rewarded accordingly so people get what they deserve. (meritocracy)
• State should not intervene to support struggling as everyone should take responsibility.
• Crime is due to poor choices and socialisation.

Question 2

What three right wing views are discussed?

Answer 2

• Murray: Underclass
• Murray & Herrnstein: IQ
• Hirschi: control theory

Question 3

What does Murray discuss?

Answer 3

• Poor socialisation can lead youths from the underclass to develop a culture characterised by dependency, lack of discipline and respect, and criminality.
• He blames over generous welfare payments which encourages ‘feckless behaviour’.
• He condemns the increase in single mothers raising boys. He says this is a greater indicator of criminality than poverty.
• Without a father figure, girls may be emotionally damaged and search of a father substitute. Boys tend to have poor impulse control, be sexual predators, and cannot hold down a job.

Question 4

What does Murray & Herrnstein discuss?

Answer 4

• Impact of cognitive ability/intelligence on criminality using IQ data.
• Linked low IQ to race and white people with low IQ are also likely to commit crime.

Question 5

Who discussed IQ and criminality?

Answer 5

Murray & Herrnstein

Question 6

What does Hirschi outline?

Answer 6

Control theory

Question 7

What is control theory?

Answer 7

• Those that have ‘strong bonds’ are less likely to commit crime.
• Attachment: to family, friends, and colleagues. They care about them and what they think.
• Commitment: Having responsibilities. People fear consequence.
• Involvement: Being part of a community/social group who are involved in conventional activities. Too busy and occupied.
• Belief: Part of a culture with morals and values.

Question 8

What are the four ways Hirschi says people are controlled?

Answer 8

• Attachment: to family, friends, and colleagues. They care about them and what they think.
• Commitment: Having responsibilities, people fear consequence.
• Involvement: in a community/social group who are involved in conventional activities. Too busy and occupied.
• Belief: Part of a culture with morals and values.

Question 9

How is the New Right view on criminality evaluated?

Answer 9

• Gallie: Interviewed people in long term unemployment about their attitude to work. They found most had a strong work ethic and wanted to work. (no evidence of a dependency culture)
• Charlesworth: Although poverty has affected the physical and mental health, most in poverty had strong morals and didn’t commit crime.
• Young: ‘sociology of vindictiveness’ aiming to ‘punish and humiliate’ those at the bottom and be scapegoated.
• IQ evidence is questionable as it ignores factors like poverty. Justice system said to be institutionally racist.