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 start imagining how the building in question is covered by a layer of dust, as well as the fact that it is poorly cared for. It is probable that we even imagine it totally abandoned.

The thought that many of us will have come to mind is “nobody cares anymore”. And this thought 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 theory of broken windows proposes., which we are going to talk about throughout this article.

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The broken windows theory

The window theory is a well-known theory linked to the 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 reach to modify our consideration of what is moral, legal and legitimate with respect to what is being doing.

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 diminishes the responsibility towards what happen. Likewise, the damages present make it easier for them to be added, little by little at first but over time in a more pronounced way, other damage: this is what happens with abandoned buildings, to which adolescents and children tend to throw cobblestones to break the rest of the windows. The uncivil is contagious given the consideration that what was attacked is unimportant and that no one cares.

The opposite would also apply: good care of the elements that are part of a stimulus make it difficult for it to be considered unappreciated and for uncivil behaviors to appear for mere contagion.

This apparently simple theory, developed at the criminological level by Wilson and Kelling in 1982 from 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 criminality, as well as the fact of observing that behaviors have been carried out Obvious anticivil acts 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 the institutional level when it comes to preventing some behaviors and at the same time revitalizing some areas of cities.

And not only on a criminal level: also in many other ways this theory can push us to watch our behavior about what and what we want (let's not forget that the broken window, although in this case it can be a real stimulus, it can also be used as a metaphor).

• Related article: "What is social psychology?"

Zimbardo's experiment

The broken windows theory 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 the same colour, make and model in two different places: the Bronx (a New York neighborhood with very few resources known for high crime rates, especially at that time) and Palo Alto (rich area of ​​California with little delinquency). Once there, he would tear off their license plates and leave the doors open, with the purpose of observing what was happening.

Initially, the behavior observed in both various was different. The car parked in the Bronx was quickly ransacked, leaving said car practically destroyed in a few days. By 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 withdrew to notice. From that moment on, seeing clear signs of abandonment of the vehicle, the residents of Palo Alto behaved the same way towards the car as those of the Bronx: they looted and destroyed it.

The conclusions of the experiment supported the theory of broken windows: the perception that something is abandoned and that its destiny does not matter to anyone can trigger behaviors that can even contravene the beliefs of those who carry them out cape, being able to reach the commission of crimes or negligence or ignorance about what happens to that item.

Likewise, we cannot fail to see that what at first glance and at first glance could lead one to think of the existence of poverty as an element that elicits the criminal behavior has proven to be false: the acts committed against the car in Palo Alto were the same and in this case the purchasing power of those who they committed was high. Although today this is something that very few people miss, 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 delinquent.

A theory extrapolated to other realities

The broken windows theory has been associated with delinquency and criminality in the form of robberies, thefts and vandalism, but we can also observe a similar effect in small everyday things that we are not aware of. This is what happens, for example, in couple relationships, neglect of which can lead to the appearance of conflicts and ruptures, the escalation of violence in a fight between two people if no control mechanism or the fact of lying is put into operation, which can lead to the need to elaborate more and more complex lies and at the same time to the fact that others do not believe us.

Likewise, it has been observed how at the urban level the presence of specific points in which there is abandonment and neglect are prone to generate around them an increase in neglected areas and even the commission of small crimes. An example of this would be the 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 the homeless 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 something common, it can be associated with the theory of broken windows: it is about someone who is not seen or taken into account by society, someone abandoned by society, which decreases the level of empathy and concern towards this class of subject. The same happens with alcoholics and drug addicts.

It is also about something that has happened with abandoned and stray animals (although today it is not common 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.

Bibliographic references

• Wagers, M.; Sousa, W. & Kelly, G. (2008) Broken windows. Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis. United Kingdom. William Publishing.