criminology ~ right realism

• What are realist theories?


  -believe crime is a real problem to be tackled, not just a social construct created by social agencies

  -argue that there has been as significant rise in crime rate

  -concerned with widespread fear of crime and impact on victims
• When was realist theories developed?

  1970s/80s
• What is right realism concerned with?

  widespread fear of crime and impact on victims
• What political party does right realism align with the most?

  conservitives
• Who is the main theorist for right realism?

  James Wilson
• What did James Wilson believe?


  -zero tolerance approach

  -crime is a real problem

  -destroying communities and society

  -concerned about growing numbers of people on benefits

  -want people to take responsibility for their own lives

  -reduce crime through control and punishment

  (longer prison sentences)
• What is the broken window theory?


  -if low level deviance is tolerated or appears to be tolerated

  -crime will grow/continue

  -broken windows are physical symbols that residents do not care about the area

  -low level deviance tolerated
• How has the broken window theory influenced policy making in New York?


  -influenced policy makers in the 1990s

  -adapted a zero tolerance policy on low level deviancy

  -included 'three strikes and you're out' policies where you could get custodial sentences for repeated minor offences
• What did Clarke (1980) say crime was caused by?

  choice based on a rational calculation of consequences, if rewards outweigh costs
• What type reason for crime does right realism focus on?


  rational choice theory

  -believed biological factors are impossible to deal with and lack of socialisation is difficult to deal with
• How does right realism believe we should deal with crime?


  reduce rewards and increase cost of committing crime

  -'zero tolerance policy'

  -'target hardening
• What is zero tolerance policing?

  more harsh punishments of minor crimes as well as bigger ones
• What are the strengths of right realism?


  1)supported by Rettig's study where students choice on whether to commit crime was determined by severity of punishment

  2)offers a more practical solutional than labelling and Marxism

  3)helped produce and shape government research into crime- stimulated a range of victim surveys and practical measures to combat crime
• What are the weaknesses of right realism?


  1)focuses on young males and street crime, fails to explain white collar crime

  2)ignores structural reasons of crime like poverty