Broken Window Effect
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Broken Window Effect

What is it?

The Broken Window Effect is a theory in criminology and social behavior which suggests that visible signs of disorder or neglect—like broken windows, graffiti, or litter—can lead to more serious crimes and further neglect. It implies that maintaining a well-ordered environment helps prevent escalation into worse problems.

If you leave one broken window in a building and don’t fix it, soon there will be more broken windows. People think, “If no one cares about this place, why should I?”

Some everyday examples:

Graffiti on a wall: If one person spray-paints a wall and it’s left there, more people might start adding their own graffiti, thinking it’s allowed or no one minds.

Trash in a park: If someone litters and no one cleans it up, others might start throwing their trash too, and the park becomes dirty quickly.

Messy office kitchen: If one person leaves a dirty cup in the sink and no one cleans it, others may start leaving dishes too—leading to a big pile-up.

The takeaway:

Small signs of neglect can lead to bigger problems. But the good news? Fixing those little things early—like cleaning up or repairing damage—can help keep everything else in better shape. ...