Right Realist Criminology

• What does Right Realism believe about crime?

  Individuals make a rational choice to commit crime
• What does Right Realism emphasize to reduce crime?

  Tough control measures like zero tolerance policing
• What are the main theories associated with Right Realism regarding the causes of crime?

  • Rational Choice Theory
  • Routine Activities Theory
  • Broken Windows Theory
  • Charles Murray's Underclass Theory
• What does Rational Choice Theory state about criminals?

  Most criminals are rational actors making choices
• What happens if the risk of getting caught is low according to Rational Choice Theory?

  Crime is more likely to be committed
• What three conditions does Routine Activities Theory state are needed for crime to occur?

  Motivated offenders, opportunity, lack of guardians
• How does Routine Activities Theory view most crime?

  As opportunistic rather than premeditated
• What is a criticism of Rational Choice Theory?

  It oversimplifies human motivations and context
• Who developed the Broken Windows Theory?

  James Q. Wilson and George Kelling
• What does the Broken Windows Theory suggest about neighborhood disorder?

  It signals a lack of community concern
• What does Charles Murray attribute the increase in crime rates to?

  Changes in family structure and the underclass
• How does Murray describe the underclass?

  Defined by deviant behavior and poor socialization
• What does Murray argue about welfare dependency?

  It leads to an increase in the underclass
• What are the two main techniques of crime control emphasized by Right Realists?

  Situational crime prevention and environmental crime prevention
• What are examples of Situational Crime Prevention techniques?

  • Increasing surveillance (CCTV)
  • Target hardening (locks, alarms)
• What is the goal of Situational Crime Prevention?

  To reduce opportunities for committing crime
• What is an example of increasing surveillance?

  Installing CCTV cameras
• What does target hardening involve?

  Making buildings and objects harder to steal
• How has the approach to surveillance changed in the UK over the decades?

  From place-based to total surveillance systems
• What does the normalization of surveillance suggest about society?

  Invasive surveillance is widely accepted now
• What is an example of target hardening on buildings?

  Installing door and window locks
• What are examples of making objects harder to steal?

  Car alarms and property marking
• What does the invasion of privacy in the UK suggest about surveillance?

  It has become normalised.
• How did self-surveillance manifest during the Covid Pandemic?

  People monitored and reported their health.
• What is target hardening?

  Making buildings and objects harder to steal.
• Name an example of target hardening on buildings.

  Door and window locks.
• What are spiky railings and anti-climb paint examples of?

  Target hardening measures.
• How do alleyway gates contribute to crime prevention?

  They reduce access to back gardens.
• What is an example of making objects harder to steal?

  Car alarms and immobilisers.
• How do IMEI numbers help prevent phone theft?

  They allow network operators to block stolen phones.
• What did the 2009 systematic review by Welsh and Farrington find about CCTV schemes?

  They led to a 51% decrease in crime.
• What situational crime prevention strategy did Marcus Felson describe?

  Redesigning the Port Authority bus terminal.
• What was the effect of replacing coal gas with natural gas in Britain?

  Suicides from gassing fell to near zero.
• What did Welsh and Farrington find about CCTV's impact on crime rates?

  It was associated with a 16% decrease in crime.
• Why do governments find situational crime prevention appealing?

  It is quick, easy, and relatively cheap.
• Who can implement situational crime prevention strategies?

  Various actors including local councils and individuals.
• What is a criticism of situational crime prevention regarding crime displacement?

  It may simply move crime to easier targets.
• What do critics say about situational crime prevention's focus on inequality?

  It ignores inequality and deprivation as crime causes.
• How might situational crime prevention increase social inequalities?

  Wealthy can afford better security measures.
• What role do emotions play in crime according to critics of situational crime prevention?

  They may drive some to commit more crime.