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Revisiting Broken Windows Theory: Examining the Sources of the Discriminant Validity of Perceived Disorder and Crime

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  • Gau, Jacinta M.
  • Pratt, Travis C.

Abstract

Two lines of critiques have developed in reference to broken windows theory: (1) Concentrated disadvantage appears to be more intricately linked with disorder than the theory allows for; and (2) There is concern that disorder and crime lack discriminant validity in that people do not actually distinguish between the two. The present study integrated these two perspectives by examining whether concentrated disadvantage--including disorder itself--affects the extent to which people view disorder and crime as separate problems. Multivariate models showed that people who believe their neighborhood to be more disorderly were more likely to make distinctions between disorder and crime. Theoretical recommendations for future tests of broken windows theory are presented and the policy implications for order maintenance policing programs are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gau, Jacinta M. & Pratt, Travis C., 2010. "Revisiting Broken Windows Theory: Examining the Sources of the Discriminant Validity of Perceived Disorder and Crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 758-766, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:38:y::i:4:p:758-766
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crank, John P. & Giacomazzi, Andrew & Heck, Cary, 2003. "Fear of crime in a nonurban setting," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 249-263.
    2. Hinkle, Joshua C. & Weisburd, David, 2008. "The irony of broken windows policing: A micro-place study of the relationship between disorder, focused police crackdowns and fear of crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 503-512, November.
    3. Corman, Hope & Mocan, Naci, 2005. "Carrots, Sticks, and Broken Windows," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 48(1), pages 235-266, April.
    4. Reisig, Michael D. & Cancino, Jeffrey Michael, 2004. "Incivilities in nonmetropolitan communities: The effects of structural constraints, social conditions, and crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 15-29.
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    2. Matthew Crippen, 2025. "Selective Permeability, Political Affordances and the Gendering of Cities," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Aleksandra Lis & Łukasz Pardela & Wu Can & Anna Katlapa & Łukasz Rąbalski, 2019. "Perceived Danger and Landscape Preferences of Walking Paths with Trees and Shrubs by Women," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Swatt, Marc L. & Varano, Sean P. & Uchida, Craig D. & Solomon, Shellie E., 2013. "Fear of crime, incivilities, and collective efficacy in four Miami neighborhoods," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 1-11.
    5. Caudill, Jonathan W. & Getty, Ryan & Smith, Rick & Patten, Ryan & Trulson, Chad R., 2013. "Discouraging window breakers: The lagged effects of police activity on crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 18-23.
    6. Renee Zahnow & Jonathan Corcoran, 2021. "Crime and bus stops: An examination using transit smart card and crime data," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 48(4), pages 706-723, May.
    7. O'Brien, Daniel T. & Farrell, Chelsea & Welsh, Brandon C., 2019. "Broken (windows) theory: A meta-analysis of the evidence for the pathways from neighborhood disorder to resident health outcomes and behaviors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 272-292.
    8. Pablo Gaitán-Rossi & Ce Shen, 2018. "Fear of Crime in Mexico: The Impacts of Municipality Characteristics," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 135(1), pages 373-399, January.

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