Right realist approaches to crime

Explanations for crime - biological factors

○ Hernstein and Wilson argue that biological differences between individuals make some individuals more predisposed to crime.

■ E.g personality traits such as aggression and low impulse control signify people who are at greater risk of offending.

● Low intelligence is also a contributing factor.

Explanations for crime - inadequate socialisation

○ Murray argues crime is increasing due to the mounting underclass defined by their deviant behaviour.

Explanations for crime - rational choice

○ 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.

Tackling crime - zero tolerance policy

○ 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 stop and search on specific characters.

■ Normally leads to the over-policing of black youth.

Tackling crime - broken window thesis

○ Wilson and Kelling believe that it’s essential to maintain orderly characteristics of neighbourhoods and reduce any signs of crime immediately.

Tackling crime - target hardening

○ Making it harder to commit crime will reduce the rewards and act as a deterrent..

■ E.g by locking doors.