Theories : Left Realism

Question 1

Young

Answer 1

Has led to an aetiological crisis - a crisis in explanation - the increase in crime statistics is real

Question 2

Runciman’s (1966)

Answer 2

Left Realists draw on Runciman’s (1966) concept of relative deprivation to explain crime.

The concept of relative deprivation helps to explain the apparent paradox of increasing crime in the context of an increasing wealthy society.

Although people are better off today, they have a greater feeling of relative deprivation because of the media and advertising have raised everyone’s expectations for material possessions – we are wealthier, but we feel poorer, and thus there is more pressure to get more stuff to keep up with everyone else, which generates historically high crime rates.

Question 3

Lees and Young

Answer 3

A subculture is a group’s collective solution to the problem of relative deprivation

Draw upon subcultural theorists

Question 4

Farrington’s reasons for why people turn to crime? (2)

Answer 4

Include

• Low income and poor social housing
• Low school attainment

Question 5

Kinsley

Answer 5

Police need to improve clear-up rates, improve relations with the community

Question 6

Shaw and McKay

Answer 6

found that low-income areas are more vulnerable to crime

Question 7

Ruggiero

Answer 7

left realists ignore white colour crime