Exploring Left Realism: Understanding the Causes of Crime

Exploring Left Realism: Understanding the Causes of Crime

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the applications of left realism in criminology, including relative deprivation, subculture, and marginalization, and how they link to the causes of crime.

What do you already know about criminology and the causes of crime?

Slide 1: Introduction to Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. It aims to understand the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior.

Slide 2: Left Realism in Criminology

Left realism is a criminological perspective that emerged in the 1980s. It focuses on the social and economic factors contributing to crime and proposes practical solutions to reduce crime rates.

Slide 3: Relative Deprivation

Relative deprivation refers to the feeling of being disadvantaged or deprived in comparison to others. It can lead to frustration, resentment, and a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

Slide 4: Subculture

Subculture refers to a distinct group within a larger society that has its own norms, values, and beliefs. Some subcultures may promote criminal activities as a means of achieving status or addressing their perceived grievances.

Slide 5: Marginalization

Marginalization refers to the social and economic exclusion of certain individuals or groups from mainstream society. It can result in feelings of alienation, hopelessness, and increased vulnerability to criminal involvement.

Slide 6: Causes of Crime: Relative Deprivation

Relative deprivation can lead individuals to commit crimes as a means of obtaining resources, status, or power that they perceive as lacking in their lives.

Slide 7: Causes of Crime: Subculture

Subcultures that promote criminal activities may provide individuals with a sense of belonging, status, and identity through their involvement in illegal behavior.

Slide 8: Causes of Crime: Marginalization

Marginalized individuals may turn to crime as a way to survive or gain resources when legitimate opportunities are limited or unavailable to them.

Slide 9: Case Study: Relative Deprivation

Present a case study illustrating how relative deprivation can lead to criminal behavior. Discuss the individual's circumstances and the factors that contributed to their criminal actions.

Slide 10: Case Study: Subculture

Present a case study highlighting a subculture that promotes criminal activities. Analyze the factors that shape this subculture and discuss its impact on crime rates.

Slide 11: Case Study: Marginalization

Present a case study focusing on an individual or group that has been marginalized and explore how this marginalization has contributed to their involvement in criminal activities.

Slide 12: Solutions: Left Realism Approach

Left realism proposes practical solutions to reduce crime rates, such as addressing inequalities, providing social support, improving community policing, and promoting inclusive social policies.

Slide 13: Interactive Activity

Divide the students into groups and ask them to brainstorm practical strategies to address relative deprivation, subculture, and marginalization in their own communities.

Slide 14: Q&A Session

Open the floor for questions and encourage students to share their thoughts, insights, and any remaining doubts or queries.

Slide 15: Conclusion

Summarize the key points covered in the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding left realism and its applications in addressing the causes of crime.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.