1. Right Realism
Right realists criticise other theories
for failing to offer any practical
solutions to the problem of rising
crime
Regard labelling and critical
criminology as too sympathetic to
the criminal
The causes of crime
Right realist views correspond with
neo-conservative governments
during 1970s +80s
Very influential in the UK + USA
Main theorist, Wilson, was special
advisor on crime to President
Reagan
Criticisms of right realism
Ignores wider structural causes i.e.
poverty
Overstates offenders rationality +
calculations before committing a
crime
Over-emphasises biological factors
e.g. Lilly et al – IQ differences only
accounts for less than 3% of crimes
Biological differences
Wilson & Herrnstein – biosocial theory, crime is
caused by a combination of biological and social
factors
Biological differences makes some people more
likely to commit crime than others
- E.g. personality traits such as aggressiveness,
risk taking etc put some people at greater risk
of offending
Herrnstein & Murray – the main cause of crime is
low intelligence, which is biologically determined
Socialisation and the underclass
Right realists believe nuclear family is best for
socialisation to decrease chances of offending
Murray – crime rate is increasing because of
growing underclass or ‘new rabble’, growing as
result of welfare dependency
Welfare state’s ‘generous revolution’ increases
no. of people dependant on state – led to decline
of marriage + growth of lone parent families
Absent fathers means boys lack appropriate male
role-models
Underclass undermines the values of hard work +
personal responsibility
Rational choice theory
Individuals have free will and the
power of reason
Clarke – the decision to commit crime
is a choice based on a rational
calculation of the likely consequences
Currently the perceived costs of crime
are low and this is why the crime rate
has increased e.g. little chance of
being caught + lenient punishment
Felson – motivated offender +
suitable target + absence of ‘capable
guardian’ = crime occurs
Tackling crime
Wilson & Kelling – essential to maintain
orderly character of neighbourhoods to
prevent crime
Zero tolerance policy towards undesirable
behaviour
‘Target hardening’ – greater use of prison +
ensuring punishment follows soon after to
maximise deterrent effect