Realist Approaches to Crime

• In a nutshell


  Right realists see crime as a real problem for society; they see the cause of it as partly biological and party social. Because these causes cannot easily be changed, they focus on deterring offenders. Left realists, on the other hand, believe crime is caused by relative deprivation, subcultures and marginalisation. Their solution for such stems from reducing societal inequality.
• Right realism - explanations for crime - BIOLOGICAL FACTORS


  Hernstein and Wilson argue that biological differences between individuals make some individuals more predisposed to crime. For instance, personality traits such as aggression and low impulse control signify people who are at greater risk of offending. In addition, low intelligence is also a contributing factor.
• Right realism - explanations for crime - POOR SOCIALISATION

  Murray argues crime is increasing due to the mounting underclass defined by their deviant behaviour.
• Right realism - explanations for crime - RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY 


  Clarke believes the decision to commit a crime is based on a rational calculation of consequences. If perceived rewards outweigh costs, people are more likely to offend.
• Left realism - explanations for crime - RELATIVE DEPRIVATION

  Lea and Young argue that relative deprivation leads to crime because people who are deprived resent others having more material goods than them, thus resorting to illegitimate means to achieve the same level of materials.
• Left realism - explanations for crime - SUBCULUTRES

  Subcultures form as a collective solution to relative deprivation, and some may turn to crime in order to close the ‘deprivation gap’. 
• Left realism - explanations for crime - MARGINALISATION

  Marginalised groups lack clear goals and organisations to represent them, which leads to frustration and resentment. In turn, they express this frustration through criminal acts such as violence and rioting
• RIGHT Realism - tackling crime - ZERO TOLERANCE POLICING​

  A zero-tolerance policy to undesirable behaviour such as prostitution, begging and drunkenness. Police should patrol the streets and take a ‘short, sharp, shock’ approach, and carry out on stop and search on suspicious characters.
• RIGHT Realism - tackling crime - WILSON & KELLING


  The broken window thesis - it is essential to maintain orderly characteristics of neighbourhoods and reduce any signs of crime immediately.
• RIGHT Realism - tackling crime - TARGET HARDENING


  If you making it harder to commit crime (Eg. by locking doors) this will reduce the rewards and act as a deterrent.
• LEFT Realism - tackling crime - POLICING AND CONTROL​


  Policing must be made accountable to local communities, and need to improve their relationship with such communities by spending more time investigating crime, and involving the community in making policing policy.
• LEFT Realism - tackling crime - TACKLING STRUCTURAL CAUSES OF CRIME

  Reduce inequality of opportunity, discrimination and provide jobs for everyone.