right realism

What is right realism?

Arguably the greatest influence on home office policy because of the practical policies that derive from it. They argue that heavier punishment will deter criminals as there is a greater chance of detection not because of the heavy sanction. Right realism focuses on three factors when looking at the cause of crime- biological, inadequate socialisation and rational choice.

What is biological factors?

Wilson and herrnstein argue that biological differences make some more likely to commit crime. In their view personality traits such as aggression, risk taking and intelligence are innate (you are born with them)

What is inadequate socialisation?

Right realists argue that effective socialisation (learning the norms and values of society) can reduce the chances of someone committing crime as it teaches them self control. Right realists argue that this socialisation takes place in the family.

Murray argued that welfare dependency has created a underclass who fail to socialise their children. This could be due to a lack of a male role model as they have absent father and live in a single parent family. As a result children brought up in these families commit crimes.

What is offending is a rational choice?

felson- this is the belief that the decision to commit crime is based on a rational calculation of the likely consequences. The perceived cost of crime vs the rewards of crime. They believe that crime is committed when the benefit outweighs the cost.