realist theories of crime

what principles do left and right realists agree on

crime is a real problem that needs to be tackled

other theories fail to offer realistic solutions to crime

what are right realists

strong committment to law and order

favoured a ‘get tough stance’ on crime

increase use of prison and death penalty

right realist causes of crime

rational choice theory: crime is a matter of individual choice, if criminal thinks they wont get caught or punishment is low, they will do it

broken window theory

underclass: defined by deviant behaviour and fail to socialise their children

what are right realists crime prevention

zero tolerance

broken window theory

what is james wilsons broken window theory

adressing minor infractions can help prevent major infractions

what do left realists believe

best way to reduce crime is to reduce the causes of crime

what do left realists suggest is a cause of crime

criminogenic triangle:

relative deprevation: when some feel others unfairly have more they may resort to crime

subculture: a subculture can be a groups solution to the problems of relative dep

marginalisatation: unemployed youth are marginalised, sense of powerlessness expressed through crime

how do left realists think we should tackle crime

early intervention (PPP)

improved policing

what is the left realists argument that reducing crime can work

perry pre school project

what is the perry pre school project

carried out from 1962 to 1967,

providing high-quality preschool education to 3-4 yr-olds

african americans living in poverty

high risk of school failure

what did the pre school do

provided each weekday morning, in 2.5-hour sessions, taught by qualified teachers

average child-teacher ratio was 6:1

learning ciriculum emphasised active learning

teachers also made a weekly 1.5- hour home visit to each mother and child,

involve the mother in the educational process and help implement the preschool

curriculum at home

what was the outcome of the PPP

evaluated, 64 kids from PPP, 64 kids from control group

PPP group:

average one more year school

1.3 years less in SEN services

46% less likley served time

33% lower arrest rate

42% higher monthly income