Right Realism: Theories of Crime and Deviance

What are the 5 Right Realist explanations of Crime and Deviance?

• biology/biological factors

• the underclass

• rational choice

• routine theory

• ‘broken windows’

What are biological factors, and how do they cause Crime and Deviance (Wilson & Hernstein)?

• some individuals are born with a tendency to commit crime

• some individuals are born with aggressive tendencies, born as extroverts, and/or are prone to taking risks

• ineffective socialisation leads to tendencies being realised and is common in single-parent families 

• those born with ‘predispositions’ to crome can be diverted away from criminal behaviour with effective socialisation 

What is the underclass, and how they cause Crime and Deviance (Murray)?

• the increase in crime rates is due to the existence of an underclass

• separate attitudes and values

• the rise in single parenthood

• underclass children lack male role models and are instead influenced by delinquent peer groups

What is rational choice, and how does it cause Crime and Deviance (Wilson)?

• assessing the benefits of crime (e.g., financial gain, status) against the risks (e.g., getting caught)

• weak law enforcement contributes to the problem

• in street crime, there are minimal chances of getting caught and apprehended

• there are no longer strong enough deterrents from making the rational decision fo break the law

What is routine theory, and how does it cause Crime and Deviance (Cohen & Felson)?

• expands upon the rational choice theory

• there are three crucial conditions for a crime to unfold

• individuals must be motivated to commit crime

• opportunities & targets must be available

• a lack of capable guardians who can deter potential offenders

• most crimes are opportunistic

• considers the interplay of risk and benefit

What is ‘broken windows’, and how does it create Crime and Deviance (Wilson & Kelling)?

• informal social control (surveillance and control by ordinary, law-abiding citizens) must be maintained

• the police must clamp down on the first signs of undesirable behaviour in a neighbourhood (zero-tolerance policing)

• if just a single broken window is left unrepaired, an area can start to deteriorate

• eventually, law-abiding citizens feel unsafe in a deteriorating neighbourhood and may move away, leaving the area to criminals

What are some criticisms of the Right Realist explanations of Crime and Deviance?

• factors like lack of investment arguably contribute more to neighbourhood decline

• Fitzpatrick argues that poverty and social exclusion, rather than benefits claimants, drive criminality in impoverished areas

What are the four Right Realist solutions to Crime and Deviance?

• increased policing

• tougher sentencing

• zero-tolerance policing

• situational crime prevention measures (target hardening and removal)

What is increased policing?

• stronger police presence as a deterrant to criminal behaviour

• more police officers on the streets

• improved community policing efforts

What is tougher sentencing?

• harsher sentences for offenders

• severe punishments can deter potential criminals and protect society

• e.g., ‘three strikes’ laws

• politicians often see tough responses to crime as popular with voters (penal populism)

What is zero-tolerance policing?

• cracking down on minor offences and disorderly behaviour (e.g., ‘squeegee men')

• deters individuals from engaging in more serious criminal acts

• e.g., Clean Pass vehicle passes in New York do not permit damaged vehicles 

What are situational crime prevention measures (target hardening and removal)?

making targets of crime harder or impossible to commit crime against

What are some examples of situational crime prevention measures (target hardening and removal)?

• speed bumps

• locks

• alarms

• CCTV

• ‘jump-proof’ turnstiles

• hostile architecture (e.g., benches that deter rough sleeping)