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Summary realist approaches left and right sociology crime and deviance aqa
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REALIST APPROACHES C&D Realism: crime is a real problem that requires solutions. Sociological theory and research should inform policy. Crime being functional, productof labelling criminals being victim of capitalism not useful.
Left realism: like Lea & Young, like Marxism but criticise for capitalism=main cause of crime, neo Marxism romanticises Right realism: like James Q Wilson:
criminals=’robin hoods’. Argue: crime and fear of crime are real social problems; most victims are working class. Marxists argue most traditional criminology is
don’t take victims seriously. unhelpful for policymakers who try to deal
with crime as a real problem. view on
Relative deprivation: leads to crime as people Subcultures: Combined with marginalisation Inadequate Socialisation: Murray; what causes crime=similar to
(bottom of society) who are deprived resent and relative deprivation, result in subcultural Underclass Theory: functionalists.
others (MC) having more material goods. Feel response people with similar experiences and Most crime committed by rising
frustrated as they see their route blocked by frustrations come together. Deviant subcultures underclass, socialised into being Rational choice theory: Clarke prison
society thus resorting to illegitimate means. Not may form young men attempt to relieve feelings dependent on state benefits. sentences are not tough enough. Argues
deprivation that causes crime but whether they of deprivation and marginalisation through gang’s ‘problem families’: criminals have free will and choose to commit
FEEL to be deprived. drug dealing etc. some may turn to crime in order mainly headed by single mothers. crime. Argue this is based on a rational
Evaluation: to close the 'deprivation gap'. Children lack a father figure lack weighing up of the benefits of crime (material
Many who are materially deprived law Evaluation: responsibility, influenced by success) against potential costs, possibility of
abiding, many people turn to rime (white collar -people who aren’t part of subcultures also turn negative role models e.g. gangs being caught and punished. = ‘crime minded’
crime) to crime drug dealers. commit crimes. “more productive to steal a car
-not all subcultures are criminals. New Right say main reason for than work for them”.
underclass is the welfare state. Evaluation:
Evaluation: -Doesn’t explain non-utilitarian crime e.g.
Marginalisation:
Too deterministic: assumes all murder
Left realist ways to tackle crime: Marginalised groups lack clear goals &
organisations to represent them which leads to people in the ‘underclass’ are -Overstates offender rationality- how far they
inadequately socialised to be have calculated before committing crimes, in
frustration and resentment=, express frustration
criminals. reality they just do it.
through criminal acts e.g. rioting and violence.
Feel powerless and frustrated towards police
and wider society due to being unfairly Biological factors: Herrnstein & Wilson: biological differences make some individuals
stigmatised for poverty or ethnicity, lack power to more susceptible to crime. E.g.- personality traits like aggression and low impulse
change situation they’re in. Lea and Young control signify ppl who are at greater risk of offending. Low intelligence can also be a
compare inner city policing to military contributing factor. testosterone = more aggression and may be more likely to commit
occupation saying stop and search is based off of crime.
racism. Evaluation:
Evaluation: - If low intelligence is an explanation for crime, doesn't explain why Asians are high in
No explanation as to why crime is the outlet for crime stats but also high achievers in education
frustration in opposition to other behaviours. doesn't explain non-violent utilitarian crimes
-Marxists- explanation fails to explain importance of material deprivation + social
factors which lead to ppl committing crimes of necessity
RESEARCHER
James Q Wilson
Clarke
Herrnstein &
Wilson:
Murray
Lea & Young
Wilson and Kellig
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