right realism explainations of crime

What are the 4 right realist explanations of crime?

• Biology

• Broken Windows

• Underclass

• Rational choice

• Routine theory

Who came up with the biology explanation?

• Wilson and Hernstein

What is the biological explanation of crime?

• Ppl are born with tendencies to commit crime e.g. aggression, extroversion

• Socialisation - lack of discipline

• These predispositions are less likely to develop in nuclear families

Who came up with the underclass?

• Murray

What is the underclass explanation of crime?

• Underclass are financially disadvantaged and have no respect for the law

• Single parent families increased underclass bc of overly generously welfare systems

• Underclass have children and socialise them in the same way

What is a solution to the underclass?

• Cut benefits

• Means testing

Who made up the rational choice explanation of crime?

• Wilson

What is the rational choice explanation of crime?

• Individuals assessing between the benefits (status, money) against consequences

• Benefits outweigh because of bad law enforcement- minimal chances of getting caught, no informal social control

What’s a solution of rational choice?

• Tougher sentencing

Who made up the routine theory?

• Cohen and Felson

What is the routine theory explanation of crime?

Expands on routine theory, saying the conditions must be:

1. Individuals motivated

2. Opportunities and targets available

3. Lack of deterrents (parents, police)

What’s a solution of routine theory?

• Increased policing

Who came up with broken windows theory?

• Wilson and Kelling

What is the broken windows explanation of crime?

1. Minor crimes take place

2. Ppl who abide by the law feel unsafe

3. They stop going out - no informal social control

4. No informal pressure to encourage others to conform

5. Leaves area to criminals bc law abiding citizens will move out