Wilson and Kelling (1982)

Question 1

What is the Broken Windows theory?

Answer 1

The broken windows theory states that any visible signs of crime and civil disorder create an urban environment that promotes even more crime and disorder

Question 2

What do Wilson and Kelling suggest the police could to prevent serious crime in reference to Zero tolerance policing?

Answer 2

• Bratton’s Zero Tolerance policing - found effective in 1990.
  Police officers were tasked to punish crimes occurring on the subway; while arrests for these crimes increased, subway crimes of all types decreased.

Question 3

What did Wilson and Kelling find in regards to police officers foot patrolling neighbourhoods?

Answer 3

• Assigning officers to foot patrol in neighborhoods with high crime rates isn’t always beneficial as these places aren’t always vulnerable to more crime.
• Was affective in making the community feel safer

Question 4

What did Wilson and Kelling suggest to be the causes of serious crime?

Answer 4

• Disorder left unchallenged - allowing smaller crimes to occur
• Neighborhoods with disorder can lead to withdrawal from the community, this can then lead to further unrest and no maintenance of order

Question 5

How does Zimbardo’s study support broken window theory?

Answer 5

Zimbardo placed a car without a license plate in two areas; upper-class (Palo Alto) and lower-class (the Bronx).
The Car in the Bronx was vandalised, the one in Palo Alto wasn’t
However once smashed, the car in Palo Alto was also quickly heavily vandalised.