Broken windows theory. Psychological theories

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Psychological theories are of interest to many, as they directly interact with life. They contain amazing depth and zest, which help to reveal the origins of significant contradictions in society. The broken windows theory is a completely unique concept that reveals a connection between the level of order and the crimes committed. This article will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, everyone who works with people and is interested in the well-being of their city and country as a whole.

A bit of history

In the mid-80s, New York was the center of crime. Rudolph Giuliani developed methods to deal with offenders, but their number only increased with time. The theory of broken windows (New York became a real and sad confirmation of this) was dictated by life itself. Crime grew literally every day due to favorable conditions.

Essence of the concept

The broken windows theory was formulated by two researchers - George Kelling and James Wilson. The concept itself is as followsway: norms and rules help to make life easier. The lack of order, the spread of chaos contributes to the growth and development of crime. You can see that if you start throwing garbage somewhere in a certain area of the city, then soon the surrounding people will start doing it. The disorder tends to spread. If a broken window is not replaced in a house in time, there is always the possibility that others will be damaged soon.

The human mind is designed in such a way that it always strives for something new. People want to explore the unknown, to gain knowledge. But at the same time, everyone needs support and a certain participation of others in success. If a person observes chaos from the window every day or directly lives in it, then negative emotions are formed in him, provoking fear of life and unwillingness to follow the inner goal. Psychological theories like the one above are further proof of this.

Experiment

Criminological theory, like any other, needed confirmation. In a number of cities, practical studies were carried out, which only confirmed the existence of this relationship. How did the researchers do? They contributed to the maximum cleaning of the place, which used to be rapidly polluted. When an atmosphere of purity was created, visible changes were noticed. Passers-by no longer threw garbage directly on the sidewalk, but used the bin.

If the waste lay right next tothem in front of their eyes, then there is a high probability that everyone else would continue to litter. The practical application of the theory proves its significance. Today this is a proven fact.

Space in which a person works

Many of us complain about unproductive activities, loss of efficiency, but meanwhile everything depends on us. If a person wants to achieve high results, it is extremely advisable to properly organize working time and space. There should be no distractions around you. For this reason, it is best to work in the office.

Those who are engaged in remote activities experience firsthand all the difficulties with self-organization and control. The practical application of the above indicated theory shows that the presence of orderliness of actions decides everything.

Crime as a result

If we consider any offense as a result to which a person leads himself, then it turns out that the theory of broken windows is an operating mechanism. The process is launched into action as a result of emerging associations in the head of the individual and transformations of images. If we see dependent people next to us (those who suffer from alcoholism, for example), then we ourselves slowly begin to degrade. In the case when garbage is constantly thrown out near the house, eventually our brain will get used to this signal and will not consider it as something indecent. As a result, a person begins to behave like everyone else.

Based on the above statement, we can conclude that crime is also provoked by external factors. In a calm and friendly environment, there is nowhere to take aggression and arbitrariness. Conversely, where there is chaos and disorder, crime is much more likely to occur. Darkness itself sometimes provokes undesirable consequences. When a person feels safe, he is internally satisfied, relaxed. The one who constantly experiences anxiety is closed, distrustful, afraid to show himself, secretive. Crimes are never committed by prosperous happy people. The state of inner satisfaction and integrity will not allow you to go beyond the social framework. Only disharmonious people try to act contrary to fate, obeying their own will. Criminals are usually offended by the whole world, and their deeds are a kind of cry for help, which they want to demonstrate to public opinion.

What Malcolm Gladwell says

A well-known Canadian writer and journalist in his book "The Turning Point" notes that a person is able to ignore the opinion of the majority, not because he has a bad heredity. Many offenses and crimes are committed as a result of the fact that people for a long time observed manifestations of violence or cruelty next to them, and perhaps they themselves became victims of other acts.

Everything that he sees and hears around him is of great importance to a person. No matter how much we want to express our individuality, no matter how we separate ourselves from the environmentpeople who are unpleasant to us, but we can’t get away from the influence that people have on us. This is what the broken windows theory is all about. Malcolm Gladwell's book highlights the power of unconscious conformity to the opinion of the majority and the influence of the environment on the development of the individual. If a child grows up in an atmosphere of love and acceptance of his opinion by others, parents strive to give him the best, then he undoubtedly develops a sense of belonging to the social environment where he is brought up.

The little man is already becoming part of this system. In the case when it comes to an unfavorable environment, there is the formation of an initially flawed personality, incapable of true self-acceptance. Such a person, voluntarily or not from evil, but hurts other people, makes them suffer. And all because he learned a dysfunctional model of behavior from childhood, absorbed it into himself. Scandals in the family and the constant presence of swear words are not dangerous in themselves, they are harmful in their destructive effect, which they have on the child's psyche.

Why order matters

To be precise, order matters in everything. First of all, you should take care to put in order the place where you spend most of the day. If this is an apartment, then it makes sense to somehow harmonize the space, decorate it. You should be pleased with everything that the eye stops at: the external interior, the situation in the house, your own attitude, relationships with loved ones. Otherwise, all attempts to become happyand self-sufficient will vanish like soap bubbles. The broken windows theory shows us the consequences of a disharmonious attitude towards ourselves and others.

Unfortunately, the environment in which a person grows up has a very strong effect on him. We cannot live outside society. Order is extremely important in the thoughts and actions of a person. From what intentions a person has, his self-esteem and the desire to achieve individual goals depend. When priorities are set correctly, there is something to strive for. An excessively restless person is always in a state of anxiety, he does not know how to relax, rest. Such behavior can sometimes in itself cause significant mental abnormalities and disorders.

Clarity and consistency

The broken windows theory, which has not yet been refuted, is certainly a strong concept, as it is based on real facts. Whatever business you undertake, you must always remember that it is important to go to the end. But many stop halfway from their cherished goal, without even trying to take a bold step towards their dream!

Think over in advance the sequence of steps you are going to take. A clear vision of the situation, the ability to plan things will help to understand many complex issues. When there is movement forward and concrete steps are planned, it is extremely important not to deviate from the given direction. Your journey may have high meaning, but if you allow yourself to take a wrong turnaside, the return may be very long.

Instead of a conclusion

The broken windows theory is a powerful program for harmonizing the individual at the social level. After all, only by considering a person as an individuality, one can understand his true motives and aspirations. Everyone wants to take place personally, to be unique. To do this, you need to learn to respect others, to accept them as they really are.