Right Realist view on crime

What do right realists argue is the reason for crime?

They argue crime is a real and serious problem that should be tackled through practical policies, stronger society control and individual responsibility.

• They argue that there is a rise in street crime and are concerned about the widespread fear of crime

What are the different causes of crime, according to right realists?

• Biological differences

• Socialisation and the underclass

• Rational choice theory

How do right realists explain biological statement causing crime?

Wilson and Herrnstein argue that personality traits like aggression/low impulse control as well as low intelligence put some people at greater risk of committing a crime.

• However, it ignores wider structural factors, like poverty

How does Murray explain how the underclass increase the crime rate?

A lack of effective socialisation can influence the crime rate, and this is common in the underclass

• Lone mothers cannot socialise their children adequately, especially boys, so they turn to delinquent roles to gain status through crime rather than getting a steady job

However, this only explains some utilitarian crime and doesn’t explain impulsive or violent crime. It also ignores how some people cannot work at all (due to disabilities), so they have no choice.

How does Charlesworth’s research counteract Murray?

He visited council estates, using participant observations to investigate effects of poverty and unemployment.

• He found miserable economic conditions had negative effects and the people suffered from depression. However, they did not turn to crime

How do right realists explain rational choice theory?

Clarke argues that the decision to commit crime is based on rational calculation of the likely consequences. If the perceived rewards of the crime overweigh the costs, people are more likely to commit.

• Right realists also argue that the perceived costs of crime are low, so crime rates have increased; reoffending rates have increased as if the criminal has no home or financial backing, committing another crime gives them a place to stay.

How is control theory explained by right realists?

Hirschi argues that people are generally rational when making choices, but also argue some people do not commit crime as they have four controls which hold them back from doing so.

What are the four controls within control theory?

• Attachment: Commitment to family relationships

• Commitment: Investment into their education/career

• Involvement: Community activist; respect and reputation as a volunteer.

• Belief: Strong commitment to belief in rules, sociology and respect for others as well as the law.

Who are the individuals most likely to commit crime according to control theory?

• Young people could gain reputation from crime, so are more likely to commit

• W/C people are more likely to commit crime as they have less economic stability and relationships to lose

• Men are more likely to commit as they have less connection than women who have stronger familial connections

What are the critiques of control theory?

• Cannot explain more violent crime

• Elitist ideology; m/c are more likely to have these controls

• Discrepancy between control and power; men commit more crime yet have higher positions in society

What are the critiques to the right realist view?

• Rex and Tomlinson reject Murray’s ideology as Pinter is caused by factors beyond the control of the poor, e.g; global recession

• Humans also have free will; crime isn’t determined by ideology

• Cohen argues that Murray’s ideology is victimisation; the rich get to live in gated communities which displaces the poor into less protected areas