Origins and Explanation
The theory is named after an analogy used to explain it.
Eventually, Wilson and Kelling argued, more serious crimes like robbery and violence will flourish.
How Is the Broken Windows Theory Applied?
Verywell / Dennis Madamba
The theory oversimplifies the causes of crime by focusing primarily on visible signs of disorder, Tzall said.
When researchers account for those underlying factors, the connection between disordered environments and crime rates disappears.
On one hand, the physical environment conveys social norms that influence our behavior, Tzall explained.
But that doesnt necessarily mean theyll make the leap from littering to robbery or violent assault.
The design and layout of spaces can also signal specific expectations and guide our actions, Tzall explained.
Positive environments provide opportunities for meaningful interactions and collaboration among community members, Tzall said.
Wilson JQ and Kelling GL.Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety.
Harcourt B, Ludwig J.Broken windows: new evidence from new york city and a five-city social experiment.
University of Chicago Law Review.
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New York City Department of Investigation Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD; 2016.
Sampson RJ.Disparity and diversity in the contemporary city: social (Dis)order revisited.
The British Journal of Sociology.
2009;60(1):1-31.
