Realism

Question 1

Explain right realism as a theory of criminality.

Answer 1

• Explains that crime is due to an individuals rational choice, a result of cost/benefit analysis of pros and cons of committing the crime
• Right realists believe punishments for crime are too lax and therefore benefits of committing crime often outweigh the cons
• Right realists also believe a lack of adequate socialisation leads to people being unable to properly consider the costs of committing crime

Question 2

What 3 things do right realists see crime as a product of?

Answer 2

1) Individual’s rational choice to offend
2) Biological differences (low intelligence)
3) Inadequate socialisation

Question 3

What is the welfare state?

Answer 3

A system of government which protects the economic and social welfare of its people (child support, council housing, job seekers allowance, healthcare support etc)

Question 4

What do right realists believe are the consequences of an over-generous welfare state?

Answer 4

• Increase in single parents and breakdown of nuclear families
• This results in children not being socialised adequately
• They suggest kids in single-parent families lack supervision, rules, discipline, and often get away with aggressive behaviour

Question 5

What are the strengths of right realism?

Answer 5

• Study by Rettig gave students an opportunity to commit crime. He found that the severity of the crime determined if the students were more or less likely to commit the crime.
• Forced government to make victim surveys and understand how victims are affected by crime. This helps design measures to prevent crime.

Question 6

What are weaknesses of right realism?

Answer 6

• Ignores the role of society in creating crime —> blames the individual but they may have no other choice if they want to survive.
• Not everyone from a single-parent family goes on to commit deviant or criminal acts
• Not all crimes are committed rationally (under the influence, impulsively etc)