sociological theories - right realism

Question 1

what is RIGHT REALISM?

Answer 1

• right realism = linked to conservative governments
• crime destroys communities and social cohesion
• right realists base their views on RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY (RCT)

Question 2

what is RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY?

Answer 2

criminals are RATIONAL ACTORS who weight up the RISKS and REWARDS before deciding whether to commit crimes

Question 3

what SOLUTIONS do right realists offer?

Answer 3

• CONTROL AND PUNISHMENT and ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
• make crime less attractive and have harsher sentences
• crime prevention policies reduce the rewards and increase the costs of committing crimes
• TARGET HARDENING - greater use of prison and making punishments follow as soon as possible after the act to maximise the deterrent effect
• ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY - doesnt tolerate crime and punishes harshly

Question 4

what 3 factors cause crime?

Answer 4

• biological differences
• inadequate socialisation
• individuals rational choice to offend

Question 5

BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES

Answer 5

• biological differences make some people more predisposed to committing crime than others
• e.g. certain hormones and personality traits can lead to increased aggression, impulsivity, and risk taking
• one of the main causes of crime = low IQ levels

Question 6

INADEQUATE SOCIALISATION

Answer 6

• effective socialisation reduces the risk of criminality as it ensures transference of norms, values, right and wrong, and self control
• when children are not brought up properly this causes INADEQUATE SOCIALISATION
• children who are socialised inadequately as a child have more risk of becoming offenders
• crime is increasing because of a growing UNDERCLASS who are failing to socialise their children properly

Question 7

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Answer 7

• RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY - a theory that states everyone has FREE WILL and the POWER OF REASON
• the decision to commit crime is due to a choice based on a rational calculation of consequences - if it is perceived the rewards outweigh the costs, then someone may turn to crime

Question 8

causes of crime according to right realists

Answer 8

right realists think the cost of committing crime is too low which means people are more likely to be tempted by the gains of criminality rather than be deterred by the fear of being caught

Question 9

STRENGTHS of right realism

Answer 9

• support for rational choice theory - rettig gave students a scenario of opportunities to commit a crime - the found the degree of the punishment determined whether they committed the crime or not
• feldman also found that people would commit crime if risks were low and rewards were high
• if you think you are going to get caught, you wont commit crime, hence if right realists increase punishments and zero tolerance approach, this reduces crime

Question 10

WEAKNESSES of right realism

Answer 10

• rational choice theory doesnt apply to all crimes e.g. no rewards for violent crimes
• not all crimes are the result of rational decisions - violent crimes are often impulsive
• offenders are often under the influence and are less likely to calculate risk