TOPIC 4: REALIST THEORIES OF CRIME
Right realism
- Criticize other theories for failing to offer any practical solutions to the problem
of rising crime.
- Labelling theory is too sympathetic explanation of criminal
- Right realists: concerned with providing realistic solutions to crime.
The causes of crime:
Product of three factors: individual biological differences, inadequate socialisation
and the underclass, and rational choice to offend
Biological differences
- Wilson/ Herrnstein: crime caused by biological + social functions.
- Herrnstein/ Murray: main cause of crime is low intelligence, biologically
determined.
Socialisation and the underclass
Murray: crime rate increasing due to growing underclass, fail to socialise their
children Murray: underclass is growing in US and UK.
Lone mothers: ineffectively socialisation agents especially for boys.
Absent fathers means boys lack male role models -> delinquent role models on the
street + gain status through crime
Underclass threatens society’s cohesion, undermining values of hard work
Crime increasing in USA/ UK due to welfare dependency on state -> decline in
marriage and growth of lone parent families.
Rational choice theory
RR: crime comes from rational choice theory, assumes that individuals have free
will.
Clarke: decision to commit crime is choice based on calculation of likely
consequences.
If rewards outweigh costs of crime -> more likely to offend.
RR: perceived costs of crime are low, why the cry rate has increased.
Felson’s routine activity theory: for crime to occur, must be a motivated offender,
suitable target and absence of ‘capable guardian’.
Tackling crime
Focus on control, containment and punishment of offenders
Wilson and Kelling’s (1982) article Broken Windows: essential to maintain character
of neighbourhoods to prevent crime.
Deterioration (graffiti) must be dealt with
‘zero tolerance’ policy towards undesirable behaviour (prostitution)
Police should focus on controlling streets so law-abiding citizens feel safe.
Right realism
- Criticize other theories for failing to offer any practical solutions to the problem
of rising crime.
- Labelling theory is too sympathetic explanation of criminal
- Right realists: concerned with providing realistic solutions to crime.
The causes of crime:
Product of three factors: individual biological differences, inadequate socialisation
and the underclass, and rational choice to offend
Biological differences
- Wilson/ Herrnstein: crime caused by biological + social functions.
- Herrnstein/ Murray: main cause of crime is low intelligence, biologically
determined.
Socialisation and the underclass
Murray: crime rate increasing due to growing underclass, fail to socialise their
children Murray: underclass is growing in US and UK.
Lone mothers: ineffectively socialisation agents especially for boys.
Absent fathers means boys lack male role models -> delinquent role models on the
street + gain status through crime
Underclass threatens society’s cohesion, undermining values of hard work
Crime increasing in USA/ UK due to welfare dependency on state -> decline in
marriage and growth of lone parent families.
Rational choice theory
RR: crime comes from rational choice theory, assumes that individuals have free
will.
Clarke: decision to commit crime is choice based on calculation of likely
consequences.
If rewards outweigh costs of crime -> more likely to offend.
RR: perceived costs of crime are low, why the cry rate has increased.
Felson’s routine activity theory: for crime to occur, must be a motivated offender,
suitable target and absence of ‘capable guardian’.
Tackling crime
Focus on control, containment and punishment of offenders
Wilson and Kelling’s (1982) article Broken Windows: essential to maintain character
of neighbourhoods to prevent crime.
Deterioration (graffiti) must be dealt with
‘zero tolerance’ policy towards undesirable behaviour (prostitution)
Police should focus on controlling streets so law-abiding citizens feel safe.
