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REALISM in Crime - Coggle Diagram
REALISM in Crime
LEFT
LEA AND YOUNG
Left Realism
- It was developed in response to the need for sociology to find real solutions to criminal behavior
- Drawing on ideas of structural inequality and the interactions between people and the state, set out to provide realistic solutions to criminal behaviour
- Reaction to influence of Right Realism
Multiple Aetiology
- Young suggested that crime was a result of many factors interacting with one another - multiple aetiology
- No single factor is the cause of crime — crime is the result of a mixture of informal and formal social controls, structural inequalities and the agency of the offender
About
They argued that there were three key factors influencing levels of crime: relative deprivation, subcultures, marginalization
RIGHT
MURRAY
Shadow Economics
- Young males lack motivation and resilience, according to Murray, that is provided by father figures
- Look to earn through working in shadow economies - counterfeit goods, drug dealing, low-level security work
- Gain status through masculinity and not conforming to social norms and values
Inadequate Socialisation
- New Right model looks to traditional functionalist gender roles, particularly the instrumental role of father providing discipline
- His argument suggests that in the underclass many fathers shirk responsibility and are absent - leaving their sons to be inadequately
Underclass
- He has argued that there is an existence of an underclass in society
- This group exists on the edge of mainstream society, and lack socialisation into norms and values of society
- Decline of traditional family values, with lone parents, high unemployment and dependent on welfare
About
- He is linked to the New Right perspective and has advocated privatization and personal responsibility rather than state control
- Influenced by ideas of neo-liberal economics which suggests reduced state spending and lower taxation - provides people with more choice and greater independence
Family and Socialisation
- He has been critical of welfare dependency - permissive policies that have promoted idleness and illegitimacy
- Suggested that their was an underclass of 'idle young men' being inadequately socialized by lone parents - lacked male role models to discipline
EVALUATIONS:
- Criticised for basing work on negative stereotypes of working-class and ethnic-minority groups
- Ignores structural inequality created by neo-liberal economic policy, including the privatisation of traditional male-dominated industries
- Existence of underclass can be seen to be reductionist view
- blaming the victims and suggesting poverty is a lifestyle choice
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WILSON
About
- Wilson is seen as one of the more influential right realist thinkers
- Collaboration with Kellings on Broken Windows theory (1982) and Hernstein (1985) focusing on biological reasons for criminality
- Also developed rational choice theory in 1975
Contemporary Examples
- Initially fines for not adhering to COVID guidelines were £50/£100 - low risk, high reward
- Increased to £10,000 - high risk, low reward
Broken Windows Theory
- Alongside Kellings, Wilson developed Broken Windows Theory
- Maintaining appearance of an area key to upholding law and order
- Police to target undesirable behaviours
Examples
- New York in the 1970s and 80s pursued policies of zero tolerance against undesirable behaviour
- Led to gentrification of areas of New York - pricing low income workers out of area
Biological Differences
- Alongside Hernstein, Wilson argued that some people were biologically predisposed to crime
- Effective socialisation does not always work - some people, such as extroverts, those with impulsive personalities and low intelligence are more likely to commit crime
Evaluations
- Wilson's ideas looked to tackle different approaches to criminal behaviour but mostly based upon assumptions of lower-class criminality
- Argued both biological predisposition and agency in making decisions
- Ignores impact of policies put forward by the political right that create conditions for crime
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
- Rational Choice Theory (RCT): explains that individuals make decisions based on a rational calculation of costs and benefits.
- When making decisions, people weigh the potential rewards against the possible punishments before engaging in a criminal act.
- Criminal behavior is viewed as a result of conscious choices made by individuals who consider the consequences.
- The deterrence theory suggests that increasing the perceived risks or costs associated with crime (like harsher penalties) can deter criminal activity.
- RCT is particularly applicable to crimes that are planned and deliberate, such as theft or fraud, where the offender evaluates the risks and rewards.
- Bounded nationality acknowledges that while individuals strive to make rational decisions, their rationality is limited by the information available and their cognitive abilities.
- The perceived costs and benefits of crime are subjective and can vary significantly from one person to another.
- RCT underpins strategies to prevent crime by altering the environment to make criminal activities less attractive or more difficult.
Evaluations
- RCT oversimplifies human behavior
- It overlooks the impact of emotions, social influences, and irrationality on decision-making