If you want to get an A* in sociology then these summarised revision notes are your step to success. This document contains detailed notes for realist explanations for crime. All notes are summarised and will save you hours of time which can be used revising these notes.
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- 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.
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