Question

Alisa’s neighborhood is usually quiet, but the local newspaper reported an increase in criminal activity there. One morning, Alisa found her garage vandalized and covered in paint and eggs. She did not have time to clean up the mess right away. Later that week, Alisa’s neighbor found his car windshield shattered. What type of theorist would be the most likely to agree with the idea that a vandalized garage could lead to more crime?

Answer 1

Answer:

Broken-window theorists would be the most likely to agree with the idea that a vandalized garage could lead to more crime.

Explanation:

Such theorists would be basing their beliefs in the broken windows theory. The theory was introduced in 1982 by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. It basically says that graver crimes are a result of a sense of lawlessness obtained from a disorganized and vandalized environment. Therefore, if minor crimes are corrected and prevented, more serious crimes will also be reduced due to a feeling of order. A vandalized garage could, according to the theory, contribute to the feeling of lack of order and, for that reason, lead to more crime.