Academics prove 'broken windows' theory

Graffiti breeds graffiti - proven?

Kees Keizer and colleagues at Groningen University in the Netherlands have proved that local evidence of vandalism, litter and low-level lawbreaking increases the likelihood of further low-level disorder. By a lot.

Keizer’s first study was conducted in an alley that is frequently used to park bicycles. His researchers created two conditions: one of order and the other of disorder. In both environments a large sign prohibiting graffiti was put up, so that it would not be missed by anyone who came to collect a bicycle. All the bikes then had a flyer promoting a non-existent sports shop attached to their handlebars. This needed to be removed before a bicycle could be ridden.

When owners returned, their behaviour was secretly observed. There were no rubbish bins in the alley, so a cyclist had three choices. He could take the flyer with him, hang it on another bicycle (which the researchers counted as littering) or throw it to the floor. When the alley contained graffiti, 69% of the riders littered compared with 33% when the walls were clean.

Other similar experiments prooved the thesis that evidence of disorder encourages further disorder.

Read te fill article from The Economist here