4. Broken Windows Theory

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about Kelling and Wilson’s 1982 ‘broken windows theory’, focusing in particular on: (i) the theory that areas in which petty crime appears not to be policed invites more serious criminals to operate in the area; (ii) Zimbardo’s 1969 study which involved abandoning cars in poor and affluent areas, to assess the impact on local criminal activity; (iii) splitting the broken windows effect into physical manifestations and behavioural ones; (iv) some examples of zero tolerance policies being implemented and the effects they have had in different regions on different crime types, as well as supplementary measures which can be implemented alongside to further enhance effectiveness.

Course

In this course, Professor Ciarán O’Keeffe (Buckinghamshire New University) explores crime investigation and prevention. In the first lecture, we think about evidence collection and how an interview differs from an interrogation. In the second lecture, we think about the cognitive interview by working through each of its stages, as well as the five additional considerations put forward in the enhanced cognitive interview. In the third lecture, we think about primary crime prevention, including target hardening, improving street lighting, the use of defensible spaces, the installation of CCTV and the implementation of zero tolerance policies on crime. Next, we think about Kelling and Wilson’s 1982 ‘broken windows theory’ and Zimbardo’s 1969 study using abandoned cars to assess the impact on crime levels. In the fifth lecture, we think about dietary treatments to reduce crime, including nutritional supplements. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about the impact that hormones can have on criminal behaviour, as well as some of the hormone treatments that have been implemented for sexual offenders.

Lecturer

Professor Ciarán O’Keeffe is associate professor of education and research and head of the School of Human and Social Sciences at Buckinghamshire New University. Professor O’Keeffe’s research interests include investigative psychology and parapsychology, and has made numerous television and radio appearances alongside an array of celebrities. Some of Professor O’Keeffe’s recent publications include 'Things That Go Bump In The Literature: An Environmental Appraisal of 'Haunted Houses'' (2020) and 'Restorative Justice and Recidivism: Investigating the impact of victim-preference for level of engagement' (2014).