Topic 4 Flashcards
What are the two types of realist approaches based on political approaches?
Left realism and Right Realism
What is the difference between Right realists and Left Realists?
Right realist support new right views whilst left realists are often socialists
In which years did Right Realism develop?
1970s and 1980s
What are the three main causes of crime according to Right realists?
Biological differences , socialisation and Rational choice theory
Howdobiological differences according to Wilson and Hernstein lead to crime?
They are to some people have biological traits like low IQ , temperament that predisposes them to become criminals
Which sociologist argues that inadequate socialisation is the main cause of crime?
Because lone parent mothers are unable to socialise their children adequately- Murray
What does Ronald Clarke mean by Rational choice theory?
Hemeans that invisuals commit crime based on rational reasoning on the relation between rewards vs costs
What 3 things does Felson’s routine activity theory say must occur for a crime to occur?
Suitable target , motivated offender and incapable Guardian
Give 3 criticisms of the Right Realist explanations of the causes of crime.
Displacement, no evidence to show biological reasons are a major cause of crime, right realists contradict themselves by saying that individuals have rational choice but also argue it’s bio-social differences that predispose them to crime
What are 2 solutions Right Realists suggest to tackle crime?
Zero policing and Target hardening
What is meant by target hardening?
Target hardening is where the costs of crime are increased disproportionately to the possible rewards as a way of deterrence
Which sociologists wrote about the Broken Window article?
Wilson and Keilling
What do Wilson and Keilings mean by Zero tolerance?
No signs of minimal disorder eg broken windows, littering etc should be tolerated tomaintain a tight prevention
of escalated forms of crime eg murder etc
Why does Jock Young Zero tolerance is a myth?
Young argues this because the crime rate was already falling before the use of zero tolerance as well crime fell in areas here there were no zero tolerance policies
Give 4 Criticisms of Zero Tolerance?
- it is preoccupied with petty street crime and ignores corporate crime
- Zero tolerance ives the police free reign to discriminate against poor, homeless, minorities
- it over emphasises control of disorder rather than tackling structural cause
- zero tolerance and target hardening only lead to displacement
In which years did Left realism develop?
1980s and 90s
What distinguishes Left realists from Marxists even though they bought see society as an unequal capitalist one?
Left realist see crime as a real problem and suggest more practical gradual solutions than revolution
Why do Left realists criticise Marxist focus on corporate crime?
Left realist criticise Marxists for ignoring working class crime and its effects
Why do Leave realists criticise Neo Marxist for romanticising working-class criminals as latter-day robin hoods?
Because neo marxist the real victims of crime
Why do leave realists criticise labelling theorist view of working-class criminals as the victims of discriminatory labelling by social control agencies?
Because labelling theories fail to see that working class are choose to commit crime
Which left realists recognise the three related causes of crime?
Lea and Young
What do Leah and Young argue are the three causes of crime?
Relative deprivation, Marginalistion and Subcultures
Why do Leah and Young argue that it is the lethal combination of relative deprivation and individualism which leads to crime?
Because this lethal combination leads to people feeling deprived and jealous enough to commit crimes against others for wealth
Who inspired Left realist views on criminal subcultures?
Subcultural strain theories
