broken windows theory

Vandalized windows in abandoned housing

Meaning

Proper Noun

  • A criminological theory stating that signs of urban decay (e.g. broken windows, graffiti) signal that an area is not monitored, encouraging more destructive criminal behavior.

Origin

  • After article propounding the theory by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, “”, Atlantic Monthly (March 1982).

Modern English dictionary

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