Summary
Summary realist approaches left and right sociology crime and deviance aqa
- Course
- Institution
includes researchers summarised and organised into sections
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
danyaalyasar
Content preview
REALIST APPROACHES C&D Realism: crime is a real problem that requires solutions. Sociological theory and research should inform policy. Crime being functional, productof labelling criminals being victim of capitalism not useful.
Left realism: like Lea & Young, like Marxism but criticise for capitalism=main cause of crime, neo Marxism romanticises Right realism: like James Q Wilson:
criminals=’robin hoods’. Argue: crime and fear of crime are real social problems; most victims are working class. Marxists argue most traditional criminology is
don’t take victims seriously. unhelpful for policymakers who try to deal
with crime as a real problem. view on
Relative deprivation: leads to crime as people Subcultures: Combined with marginalisation Inadequate Socialisation: Murray; what causes crime=similar to
(bottom of society) who are deprived resent and relative deprivation, result in subcultural Underclass Theory: functionalists.
others (MC) having more material goods. Feel response people with similar experiences and Most crime committed by rising
frustrated as they see their route blocked by frustrations come together. Deviant subcultures underclass, socialised into being Rational choice theory: Clarke prison
society thus resorting to illegitimate means. Not may form young men attempt to relieve feelings dependent on state benefits. sentences are not tough enough. Argues
deprivation that causes crime but whether they of deprivation and marginalisation through gang’s ‘problem families’: criminals have free will and choose to commit
FEEL to be deprived. drug dealing etc. some may turn to crime in order mainly headed by single mothers. crime. Argue this is based on a rational
Evaluation: to close the 'deprivation gap'. Children lack a father figure lack weighing up of the benefits of crime (material
Many who are materially deprived law Evaluation: responsibility, influenced by success) against potential costs, possibility of
abiding, many people turn to rime (white collar -people who aren’t part of subcultures also turn negative role models e.g. gangs being caught and punished. = ‘crime minded’
crime) to crime drug dealers. commit crimes. “more productive to steal a car
-not all subcultures are criminals. New Right say main reason for than work for them”.
underclass is the welfare state. Evaluation:
Evaluation: -Doesn’t explain non-utilitarian crime e.g.
Marginalisation:
Too deterministic: assumes all murder
Left realist ways to tackle crime: Marginalised groups lack clear goals &
organisations to represent them which leads to people in the ‘underclass’ are -Overstates offender rationality- how far they
inadequately socialised to be have calculated before committing crimes, in
frustration and resentment=, express frustration
criminals. reality they just do it.
through criminal acts e.g. rioting and violence.
Feel powerless and frustrated towards police
and wider society due to being unfairly Biological factors: Herrnstein & Wilson: biological differences make some individuals
stigmatised for poverty or ethnicity, lack power to more susceptible to crime. E.g.- personality traits like aggression and low impulse
change situation they’re in. Lea and Young control signify ppl who are at greater risk of offending. Low intelligence can also be a
compare inner city policing to military contributing factor. testosterone = more aggression and may be more likely to commit
occupation saying stop and search is based off of crime.
racism. Evaluation:
Evaluation: - If low intelligence is an explanation for crime, doesn't explain why Asians are high in
No explanation as to why crime is the outlet for crime stats but also high achievers in education
frustration in opposition to other behaviours. doesn't explain non-violent utilitarian crimes
-Marxists- explanation fails to explain importance of material deprivation + social
factors which lead to ppl committing crimes of necessity
RESEARCHER
James Q Wilson
Clarke
Herrnstein &
Wilson:
Murray
Lea & Young
Wilson and Kellig
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller danyaalyasar. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R95,18. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73314 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy summaries for 14 years now