Page 2: Right Realist Perspective

This page delves deeper into right realism theory and its core principles, particularly focusing on biological and social explanations for criminal behavior.

Definition: Right realist theories of crime in criminology combine biological predisposition with social factors to explain criminal behavior.

Highlight: Right realism emphasizes practical crime control measures over addressing root causes, aligning with neo-conservative government policies.

Example: The biosocial theory suggests that certain personality traits, such as aggressiveness, may predispose individuals to criminal behavior.

Vocabulary: Biosocial theory combines biological factors (such as personality traits and intelligence) with social influences to explain criminal behavior.

Quote: "Natural selfishness and greed" are considered fundamental factors in criminal behavior according to right realist perspectives.

Page 2: Right Realism's Core Principles

This page delves into right realism theory and its fundamental approaches to understanding criminal behavior. The content emphasizes how right realist perspectives gained influence in both the UK and USA during the 1970s.

Highlight: Right realism focuses primarily on street crime as a threat to social cohesion, shifting emphasis from causes to practical control measures.

The page explores two main theoretical components of right realism causes of crime:

Definition: Biosocial theory suggests criminal behavior results from both biological and social factors, with some individuals being more predisposed to crime.

Example: The concept of the underclass and inadequate socialization, particularly in relation to lone parent families, represents a key focus of right realist explanations.

Page 3: Rational Choice Theory and Right Realist Solutions

This page examines the theoretical underpinnings of right realism solutions to crime, particularly focusing on Rational Choice Theory as developed by Clarke and Coleman (1980).

Definition: Right realism rational choice theory posits that criminals engage in cost-benefit analysis before committing crimes.

Highlight: Right realists reject sociological connections between crime and poverty, instead emphasizing factors like welfare state expansion and family breakdown.

The page outlines key aspects of right realist thinking:

Example: Rising crime levels are attributed to ineffective social control and permissive attitudes rather than economic factors.

Quote: "Permissive attitudes allow self-indulgent and anti-social behavior."

Page 1: Foundations of Realist Theories

This page introduces the fundamental distinctions between left and right realist approaches to crime. The left realist perspective acknowledges capitalism's role while advocating for practical reforms, while right realism emphasizes individual responsibility and strict enforcement.

Definition: Left realism causes of crime stem from social inequality and relative deprivation, while maintaining a reformist rather than revolutionary approach.

Example: The relationship between poverty and crime rates illustrates relative deprivation - 1930s had high poverty but low crime, while post-1950s saw rising living standards alongside increasing crime rates.

Highlight: Lea and Young's 1984 theory identifies three key factors in crime causation: relative deprivation, subculture formation, and marginalization.

Vocabulary: Relative deprivation refers to the perception of unfair disadvantage compared to others, leading to resentment and potentially criminal behavior.

Quote: "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" - epitomizes the left realist approach.