the realist theories of crime

Question 1

right and left realism: similarities and differences

Answer 1

• both theories see high crime rates as a serious problem
• both been influential in recent policy making
• RIGHT: badly behaved individuals cause crime
• LEFT: poor living conditions - social exclusion
• RIGHT realism supports a zero tolerance approach
• LEFT realism supports a more reformist approach - tough on the causes of crime

Question 2

right realism (conservative) causes of crime:

Answer 2

• poor socialization
• lack of positive male role models
• under class
• generous welfare benefits
• poor parenting skills

Question 3

left realism (labour - similar to marxism) causes of crime:

Answer 3

• poor quality housing
• relative deprivation
• inequality of educational opportunities
• social exclusion
• inequalities found in capitalism

Question 4

WILSON & HERRINSTEIN (right) - questioning unemployment to explain crime

Answer 4

• question that crime is a result of poverty and unemployment
• since 1960s the USA has been very prosperous
• high levels of employment
• lots of social programmes aimed at young people
• education attainment levels higher than ever
• yet crime rates are still very high
• blame biological and social factors

Question 5

right realism: characteristics of a criminal

Answer 5

• biological factors: some individuals are predisposed to committing crime
• personality traits: more aggressive
• risk taking behaviour
• low intelligence

Question 6

CHARLES MURRAY (right) - deplorable behaviour

Answer 6

• ‘under class’
• not so much about poverty - more about the deplorable behaviour
• teenage mums - live off benefits
• children inadequately socialised
• large numbers of healthy young males who refuse to work

Question 7

single parents (right perspective)

Answer 7

• inadequate socialisation
• dependent on welfare benefits
• only two parent heterosexual families can socialise children correctly
• little boys need role models
• crime is a characteristic of the underclass
• men who don’t support their families turn to crime for masculinity

Question 8

CLARKE (right) - rational choice theory

Answer 8

• individuals make a choice about committing crimes based on rational calculation
• if the rewards of a crime outweigh the consequences of being caught, then people will offend

Question 9

FELSON (right) - routine activity theory

Answer 9

• for a crime to take place there needs to be a motivated offender
• suitable target - victim
• absence of capable guardian (police officer or neighbor)
• criminals act rationally, the presence of a guardian will deter them

Question 10

right realist solutions to crime

Answer 10

• no point dealing with cause of crime
• biological/socialisation factors are too difficult to tackle
• need to make crime more attractive
• need zero tolerance policing