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
How do subcultures cause crime according to Leah and Young?
Subcultures gives access to criminal rewards, role models and activities
How does marginalisation cause crime according to Leah and Young?
People who feel socially excluded due to marginalisation commit crime
What did governments introduce since the 1990’s to control a widening range of behaviour?
ASBOs and IPNAs
What is the meaning of ASBOs?
Anti Social Behaviour Orders
What is the meaning of IPNAs?
Injunctions to prevent Nuisance and Annoyance
What are the three key features of these behavioural measures?
1.they blur the boundaries of crime
- have subjective definitions
- behavioural measures are flexible
What percentage of crimes do the public report to the police?
90%
Who do Kinsey, Leah and Young argue that military policing is a problematic style by the police?
Military policy results in lack of trust in police from community and fettering them from reporting crimes
What do Left realists argue is the main solution in tackling crime?
Tackling structural causes of crime
What are two examples of how left realism has influenced government policy?
New Labour’s New deal and New labours use of ASBOs
What are 3 criticisms of left realism?
- left realism accepts the states definition of crime as being street crime ignoring crimes of the powerful
- fail to give full explanation because not all people who are relatively deprived commit crime
- infractionist argue that left realist can not know the offenders motives because they depends on quantitative data
What are the 2 similarities between left realism and Right Realism?
- Both see crime as a real problem
- both see fear of crime as rational
What are are 2 differences between left realism and Right Realism?
- right realists are Neo-conservatives whilst left realists are reformists
- right prioritise social order while left prioritise justice through greater equality
