The Broken Windows Theory

The Broken Windows Theory

 

The Broken Windows Theory, introduced in the essay "Fixing Broken Windows: Restoring Order and Reducing Crime in Our Communities" by American criminologists James Wilson and George Kelling in March 1982, suggests that disorder in society can lead to crime spreading from minor instances left unchecked.

 

The theory posits that neglecting one broken window can lead to a proliferation of crime centered around that point, indicating that ignoring minor disorder can escalate into larger problems.

 

An example illustrating this theory involved a simple experiment: two cars were parked with their hoods open in a secluded alley, but only one car had a broken front window. After observing for a week, the car with the intact window remained unchanged, while the car with the broken window was significantly vandalized and damaged, almost to the point of being scrapped.

 

One notable application of the Broken Windows Theory in social policy occurred in New York City during the 1980s. At that time, the subway system was notorious for its poor safety conditions, prompting warnings against using it. To prevent the theory from manifesting, authorities set a goal to remove all graffiti from subway cars, leading to a substantial decrease in incidents and accidents within the subway.

 

In a Korean example from October 2012, near Seoul Station where many homeless people gathered, the installation of chrysanthemum flower pots created a cleaner environment, illustrating the theory's practical application in fostering tidy and safe public spaces.

 

 

 

Criminal psychology 

 

Criminal psychology (Chinese:犯罪心理學, Korean:범죄심리학)  is a branch of psychology that seeks to understand the characteristics, backgrounds, and environmental factors contributing to criminal behavior. Its primary objectives are crime prevention, criminal investigation, and facilitating the rehabilitation of offenders. It falls under the category of applied psychology and intersects with fields such as forensic psychiatry, criminal sociology, and criminal policy. It can also be considered a subset of criminology (criminal biology).