Psychological theories are interesting to many, as they directly interact with life. They contain tremendous depth and zest that help to uncover the origins of significant contradictions in society. The theory of broken windows is a completely unique concept that reveals the 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 a crime center. Rudolf Giuliani developed methods to combat offenders, but their number only increased with time. The theory of broken windows (New York became a real and sad confirmation) was dictated by life itself. Crime grew literally every day due to the favorable conditions.
Essence of the concept
The theory of broken windows was formulated by two researchers - George Kelling and James Wilson. The concept itself is as follows: norms and rules help facilitate the flow of life. Lack of order, the spread of chaos contributes to the growth and development of crime. You may notice that if in a certain area of the city you start to throw garbage somewhere, then soon the people around you will start to do 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 soon be damaged.
Human consciousness is structured in such a way that it always strives for a new one. People want to know the unknown, to receive 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 lives directly in it, then negative emotions are formed in him, provoking fear of life and unwillingness to follow an internal goal. Psychological theories like the one above are additional evidence of this.
Experiment
Criminological theory, like any other, needed confirmation. In a number of cities, practical studies were conducted that only confirmed the existence of this relationship. What did the researchers do? They contributed to the maximum cleaning of the place that used to be rapidly polluted. When an atmosphere of purity was created, visible changes were noticed. Passers-by no longer threw garbage directly onto the sidewalk, but used the urn.
If the waste lay right in front of their eyes, it is likely that everyone else would continue to litter. The practical application of the theory proves its significance. Today it is a proven fact.
The space in which a person works
Many of us complain about unproductive activities, loss of working capacity, but meanwhile it all depends on ourselves. If a person wants to achieve high results, it is extremely advisable to properly organize working hours and space. There should be no distracting objects around you. It is for this reason that it works best in the office.
Those who engage in remote activities, experience first hand all the difficulties with self-organization and control. The practical application of the above theory shows that having orderly actions decides everything.
Crime as a result
If we consider any offenses as a result to which a person leads himself, it turns out that the theory of broken windows is an operating mechanism. The process is launched as a result of emerging associations in the head of the personality and transformation of images. If we see next to us dependent people (suffering from alcoholism, for example), then we slowly begin to degrade ourselves. In the case when garbage is constantly thrown out near the house, in the end our brain will get used to this signal and will not consider it 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 atmosphere, aggression and arbitrariness are nowhere to come from. Conversely, where chaos and disorder reign, crimes are much more likely to occur. Darkness sometimes in itself provokes undesirable consequences. When a person feels safe, he is internally satisfied, relaxed. Anyone who is constantly anxious, closed, incredulous, afraid to show himself, is secretive. Happy, happy people never commit crimes. A state of inner satisfaction and integrity will not allow us to go beyond social boundaries. Only disharmonious people try to act against fate, obeying their own will. Criminals are usually offended by the whole world, and their actions 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 "Tipping Point" notes that a person is able to neglect the majority opinion not because it has a poor heredity. Many offenses and crimes are committed as a result of the fact that for a long time people observed manifestations of violence or cruelty next to themselves, and possibly became victims of other acts themselves.
Of tremendous importance is the person all that he sees and hears around him. No matter how we wish to express our individuality, no matter how we isolate ourselves from the environment of people who are unpleasant to us, but we cannot get away from the influence that people have on us. This is what the broken window theory is about. The book of Malcolm Gladwell emphasizes the full force of unconscious subordination of the majority opinion and the impact of the environment on personality development. If a child grows up in an atmosphere of love and acceptance of his opinions by others, his parents strive to give him the best, then he will undoubtedly develop a sense of belonging to the social environment where he is brought up.
A small person is already becoming part of this system. In the case when it comes to an unfavorable environment, the formation of an initially flawed personality is incapable of being able to truly accept itself. Such a person, freely or not from evil, but hurts other people, makes them suffer. And all because he learned from childhood a dysfunctional model of behavior, absorbed it into himself. Scandals in the family and the constant presence of swear words are not dangerous in themselves, they are harmful by their destructive effect that they have on the children's psyche.
The importance of orderliness
To be precise, order is important 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 and decorate it. You should be pleased with everything that the eye stops: the external interior, the situation in the house, your own attitude, relationships with loved ones. Otherwise, all attempts to become happy and self-sufficient will be scattered like soap bubbles. The theory of broken windows shows us the consequences of an inharmonious attitude towards oneself and others.
Unfortunately, the environment in which a person grows has a very strong effect on him. We cannot live outside of society. Order is extremely important in the thoughts and actions of a person. From what intentions a person has, depends on his self-esteem and desire to achieve individual goals. When priorities are set correctly , there is something to strive for. An overly restless person is always in a state of anxiety; he does not know how to relax, to rest. Such behavior can sometimes cause significant mental abnormalities and disorders in itself.
Clarity and consistency
The theory of broken windows, a refutation of which has not been presented so far, 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 all the way. But many people stop halfway from their cherished goal, and without trying to take a bold step towards the dream!
Think in advance the sequence of steps that you are about 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 outlined, it is extremely important not to turn off from the given direction. Your journey can make great sense, but if you allow yourself to turn in the wrong direction, the return can be very long.
Instead of a conclusion
The theory of broken windows is a powerful program to harmonize the individual on a social level. After all, only considering a person as an individual can one 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, accept them as they really are.