Topic 4- Crime And Deviance Flashcards
What is the realist approach to crime?
They believe crime is a real problem that has to be tackled and isn’t socially constructed.
What is right realism?
Their view is to reduce crime through control and punishment.
Why do right realists believe biological differences cause crime? (Biosocial theory)
1) biological differences- they believe some people are more predisposed to commit crime, personality traits such as aggression and impulsiveness.
Herrnstein and murray- argue main cause of crime is low iq
Why do right realists believe socialisation of the underclass cause crime? (Biosocial theory)
2) socialisation of the underclass- the family that is the best adapted to meet the needs of society in socialising their young according to right realists is the nuclear family.
Charles murray- there is a growing underclass who cant socialise their kids properly.
Why do right realists believe rational choice theory cause crime? (Biosocial theory)
3) rational choice theory- clarke, free will and committing crime is a choice, based on the rational calculation of the consequences
• rewards outweighing the cost of crime
• the benefits are more than the risks
• the risk of being caught is low
Wilson- the value of legitimate opportunities declines and the cost of illegitimate opportunities decline then crime will increase.
What is routine activity theory?
Felson- 3 components to crime
• a motivated offender
• a suitable target- victim/ property
• absence of capable guardian- formal control agencies
What are criticisms of right realist theories?
• ignores structural causes of crime
• doesnt explain non-utilitarian crime
• lily et al- found iq differences account for less than 3% of offences
What are right realists approach to solving the problem of crime?
1) wilson and kelling- broken windows- maintaining the appearance of neighbourhoods to prevent crime taking hold
2) zero tolerance- the police should control the streets to make the law abiding feel safe
3) target hardening- better use of prisons, ensuring punishments follow quickly after an act of deviance.
What are criticisms of right realist approach to fixing crime?
Young- the success of zero tolerance in new york has been over exaggerated.
Ignores corporate crime
What is left realism?
Focus on the problem of disadvantaged groups being the victims of crime.
What is an aetiological crisis?
There has been a crisis with explaining the increase in crime.
Jock young- argues there has been an increase in reporting crime not and increase in crime itself, it is socially constructed
Left realists- believe it is really increasing and disadvantaged groups are suffering.
What are the causes of crime according to left realists? Lea and young
1) relative deprivation- crime increases because we resent eachother having more, and crime is encouraged in the pursuit of self interest.
2) deviant subcultures- derived from merton, cloward and ohlin. Comes from not achieving societal goals legitimately
3) marginalisation- they lack clear goals, unemployed youths, feel powerless so result in crime.
Explain late modernity exclusion and crime
Young- we are now in the stage of late modernity where instability, insecurity and exclusion have made crime worse. Many jobs are now short term and insecure.
This change destabilised family snd community life.
Young- cultural inclusion and economic exclusion:
• media promotes cultural inclusion
• greater emphasis on leisure and consumption
• failure of the ideology of meritocracy
What is the second aetiological crisis?
Young- shows crime is falling but theres an increase in antisocial behaviour.
How do left realists tackle crime?
1) policing and control- kinsey,lea and young- the public must be involved in determining police priorities, and the style of policing. Improve relationships with the public, and improve time investigating crime
2) tackling structural factors of crime- Young- we need to tackle unequal structures in society, such as: opportunities, discrimination.
