The Broken Windows Theory And Zimbardo’s Experiment
Let’s think for a moment about the image projected by a building with a broken window, which has been like this for months or even years. Probably, as we concentrate on it, we imagine how the building in question is covered with a layer of dust, as well as the fact that it is poorly cared for. We probably even imagine it completely abandoned.
The thought that may have come to mind for many of us is “no one cares anymore.” And this thinking can be dangerous: the behavior of many people towards the building in question will be modified by their perception of it. This is what the broken windows theory proposes which we are going to talk about throughout this article.
The window theory is a well-known theory linked to criminology, which mainly proposes the existence of the emergence and contagion of criminal behavior from the perception of the relevance or lack of relevance of the stimulus or element with which we deal. Thus, how we perceive what surrounds us influences our behavior towards it, and can even modify our consideration of what is moral, legal and legitimate with respect to what is being done.
The image suggested by the name of the theory is a clear analogy: the existence of a broken window implies a certain abandonment of the building or vehicle in question, something that reduces responsibility for what happens to it. Likewise, the present defects make it easier for other damages to be added, little by little at first but more pronounced over time: this is what happens with abandoned buildings, to which adolescents and children often throw paving stones to break the rest of the windows. The uncivil is spreading considering that what was attacked is unimportant and that no one cares
The opposite would also be applicable: good care of the elements that form part of a stimulus makes it difficult for it to be considered unappreciated and for uncivil behavior to appear due to mere contagion.
This seemingly simple theory, developed at a criminological level by Wilson and Kelling in 1982 based on the results of an experiment by Philip Zimbardo, has profound implications: It is the perception of what surrounds us that explains our behavior towards it The idea that something has little value or is abandoned facilitates crime, as does the fact of observing that obvious uncivil behavior has been carried out on which no action has been taken (for example a wall with graffiti that has not been erased). makes it easier for others to also draw on it), something to take into account at an institutional level when preventing some behaviors and at the same time revitalizing some areas of the cities.
And not only on a criminal level: also in many other ways This theory can push us to monitor our behavior about what and who we want (let’s not forget that the broken window, although in this case it can be a real stimulus, can also be used as a metaphor).
Zimbardo’s experiment
The theory of broken windows arose from a social psychology experiment carried out by Philip Zimbardo in 1969. To do this, he would have two cars in perfect condition of identical color, make and model in two different locations: the Bronx ( New York neighborhood with very few resources known for high crime rates, especially at that time) and Palo Alto (rich Californian area with little crime). Once there he would tear off their license plates and leave the doors open, in order to observe what was happening.
Initially, the behavior observed in both groups was different. The car parked in the Bronx was quickly vandalized, leaving said car practically destroyed in a few days. In contrast, the car parked in Palo Alto remained unscathed for a week.
However, the experiment continued: after that time Zimbardo decided to attack the vehicle and cause some damage, including breaking one of its windows, and later retired to observe. From that moment on, seeing clear signs of abandonment of the vehicle, the residents of Palo Alto had the same behavior towards the car as those of the Bronx: they looted and destroyed it.
The conclusions of the experiment supported the broken windows theory: the perception that something is abandoned and that its fate does not matter to anyone can trigger behaviors that may even contravene the beliefs of those who carry them out, which may lead to the commission of crimes or negligence or ignorance regarding what happens with said element.
Likewise, we cannot help but see that what at first glance and at first glance could lead one to think about the existence of poverty as an element that elicits criminal behavior has proven to be false: the acts committed against the Palo Alto car were the themselves and in this case the purchasing power of those who committed them was high. Although today this is something that surprises very few people, at that time there was still a high level of classism in the social perception that considered it unlikely that people with high socioeconomic positions would commit crimes.
A theory that can be extrapolated to other realities
The broken windows theory has been associated with crime and criminality in the form of robberies, robberies and vandalism, but we can also observe a similar effect in small everyday things that we do not realize. This is what happens, for example, in couple relationships, the neglect of which can lead to the appearance of conflicts and breakups, the escalation of violence in a fight between two people if some control mechanism is not put in place, or the fact of lying, which can lead to the need to create increasingly more complex lies and at the same time to others not believing us.
Likewise, it has been observed that at the urban level the presence of specific points in which there is abandonment and neglect are prone to generating an increase in neglected areas around them and even the commission of small crimes. An example of this would be neighborhoods that little by little see their social prestige reduced, in some cases to the point of being considered marginal.
But in addition to the above, it can also be associated with much more serious criminal acts (although in these cases a certain component of lack of empathy, values and responsibility is also required).
For example, today we see how homeless people tend to be systematically ignored by the majority of people, and in some cases they are even attacked and harassed. Although the latter is not common, it can be associated with the theory of broken windows: it is about someone who is not socially seen or taken into account, someone abandoned by society, which decreases the level of empathy and concern towards this kind of subject. The same happens with alcoholics and drug addicts.
This is also something that has happened with abandoned and stray animals (although it is not common today as society is more aware of animal suffering). Stones, attacks and persecutions that have even ended the life of the poor animal have been frequent throughout history, especially if the animal suffered from some deformity or disability.
