right realism

• Rational beings


  Have free will
• Deciding to commit a crime

  Based on a rational calculation of rewards + consequences
• Rewards outweigh costs


  Likely to offend
• Wilson and Hernstein's theory


  Crime caused by biology and environment
• Biological traits


  • May make some people innately predisposed to crime and risk-taking
• Wilson and Hernstein's approach


  Holistic view, considers full picture not just one explanation
• Crime stats show contradictory elements - rationally choosing to commit a crime but also behaviours determined by biology
• Nuclear family


  Best agency of social control
• Charles Murray: those brought up in non-traditional family structures are inadequately socialised and caused to commit crime
• Welfare state


  Leads to rise in those who claim benefits (the underclass)
• Absent fathers


  Children don't have positive role model to teach discipline, seek male role model in gangs
• Welfare state and underclass


  Encourage lone parent families, more benefits: more crime, due to inadequate socialisation