The question in the post below this one is now closed, so do not respond. You can, however, comment on the questions in THIS post. You can address one or both questions. Here goes:
- In the book, Gladwell discusses the "Broken Window Theory." Think of other examples in which this theory applies then comment on them.
- Gladwell also mentions "transactive memory." Reflect on your family life or circle of friends then comment on this idea in regards to your family and/or friends.
Good luck with the rest of the book. You should be finishing this week!
6 comments:
1) In Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, the Broken Windows Theory is “an invitation to more serious crimes” (pg141) Gladwell explains that if there is a broken window in an apartment by the street people walking by will think that “no one cares and no one is in charge”. Therefore, more windows will be broken and the city will accumulate other “careless” problems such as graffiti and public disorder, as stated by Gladwell. The Broken Windows Theory doesn’t just apply to crime in a city, but to discipline also. If a student in a high school stands on top of a lunch table, clearly visible to the security guards, and no one reprimands, punishes, or tells the student “hey, you can’t do that. GET DOWN!” Then just guess what’s going to creep through the ceiling and walls. Not bugs or blood since this isn’t a scary movie, but it can turn into one with the riot and chaos that the students will form, all running around and standing on top of the lunch tables. Clearly, if this occurs then it can lead to injuries if anyone falls off, or diseases since the students themselves eat on those filthy tables that have been walked over. Even worse, the problem can get more serious and since the students concluded that “no one cares and no one is in charge” then they’ll be willing to tear apart books, write on walls and desks, maybe even place their feet on top of their desk while the teacher is in the middle of a lesson. “Broken Windows” leads to mischief, disorder, and crime.
2) “Wegner argues that when people know each other well, they create an implicit joint memory system, a transactive memory system, which is based on an understanding about who is best suited to remember what kinds of things” stated Gladwell. In my family, both my father and I look at my mom for remembering doctor appointments, when to pay the bills, and small details such as what we had for dinner yesterday. When I go to Cuba, I rely on my grandmother to remind me the names of my second aunts and uncles, third cousins, family friends, and even the dogs’ names. I rely on my older sister to remind me of the curious reckless days I had when I was a toddler, and I go to my five year old cousin to remind me what clothes I have worn this week and which ones I haven’t, because the child notices every detail and has a better memory than I do.
Number One: The Broken Window Theory is the most intriguing candidate. Gladwell states, “If a window is broken and left unpaired, people will conclude no one cares and no one is in charge”. This means as more windows are being broken, more crimes are being committed. Another example can be like a fashion trend. Nowadays, the jewelry and the clothing from the 80s are coming back in style. It’s now the latest “IT”. For example, the leg warmers, the glasses, the beads and necklaces are coming back to our generation. It is just like the Broken Window Theory. It starts with the latest trend of clothing from the 80s and now its spread all over the entire community or even the world. Just as Gladwell stated in his novel, “It says that crime is contagious just as fashion trend is contagious that it can start with a broken window and spread to an entire community. In addition, a new style of dance is like the Broken Window Theory. As a new style of dance is coming out, everyone knows the dance steps to that particular song. In music, a new song comes out and everyone across the community knows the lyrics to that song. It’s a broken window that is spreading through the entire community.
Number Two: Transactive memory is the meaning of how well a person knows you. In my family, we have our favorite shows we like to watch together as a family. We know when the show is coming because we all look at each other and the clock or we tell each other when the show is coming on. My friends and I always have the best of times. When we know that something is funny, we just look at each other and start to laugh.
A broken window is when you leave a window unrepaired or broken. When the window goes unrepaired people will know that you don’t care and or that you’re not in charge. They’re going to be crimes around you. For example, it is monkey see monkey do, for example like when a new phone comes out to the public everyone wants to have it. Also, when a movie is released like New Moon everyone wants to be the first to see it.
Transactive memory is how well a person knows you. For example, in my family when its football seasons everyone knows we will have barbecues at my grandfather’s house every Sunday. Also, another example, my friend knows when we wake up; we meet at the gym to work out. It is a routine that people who are close to you will know.
1) The ‘Broken Windows theory’ is the innovation of Wilson and Kellings. It gives a simple yet reasonable explanation of why crime can rise so smoothly and tip until it wild fires its way through communities and society itself. Basically if a window is broken it sends off disorder signals and invites criminals or criminals to be to act. High school is a living, breathing representation of the Broken Windows theory. For example, if a new teacher arrives to class and immediately doesn’t make herself/himself respected the class will see the chaos as a window to take control. It happened in my 9th grade photography class, as soon as a small group started disrespecting, talking excessively during lectures and weren’t getting disciplined the rest starting reacting as well, even the students who showed no prior discipline problems in other classes. Or how about the violence and crime statistics at a new, fresh looking school without graffiti or even writing on the bathroom stalls compared to a 50 year old school dressed in turmoil? The results are obvious which is exactly why the Broken Windows theory makes perfect sense. This idea further proves Gladwell’s Power of Context theory which saids that the environment is extremely manipulative in starting epidemics.
2) Transactive memory, a little concept in psychology that states that a vast majority of our memories are actually stored exterior to our brains. Where exactly do these memories go? Well according to Gladwell when people form a deep enough bond they also form a joint memory system and rely on their close ones to store information that they are best geared for. In my family, my mother is relied on for most of the important smaller details. We all rely on her to remember to pay the bills, remember medical appointments, relatives birthdays, and more. Personally, I depend on my boyfriend to refresh my memory on cars, the latest parties or movies, and basic life details that elude me. And acquaintances and friends alike all entrust me to know what homework or projects or upcoming school events are occurring. It’s a form of intimacy and system that when broken usually leaves people feeling lost and bewildered. How can they not though, they just received a massive load of information to memorize.
In Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, Gladwell explains that the Broken Theory is “an invitation to more crimes” For example, if, lets say you go on a date and the guy is looking like he hasn’t shaved in a couple of months, and sits like its all good, and doesn’t speak the right way, is being a complete mess. Would you really go on a second date? I don’t think so. First impressions are really important and if your date looks like crap you will think that just likes his looks he is a crappy boyfriend to be with.
Transactive memory is a concept defined by Wegner that says it’s a system that says who best is at remember what things. For example, I remember that every Thursday at 8:00 The Vampire Diaries (a show my sister and I watch) is on and I tell her and we watch it. I remember that every Thursday that show is on. She reminds me that moms and dad’s birthday is September 11 and September 15 (I know so close creepy!) . Every one in the family remembers something about each other that we, by ourselves, can’t remember. Thank you Sis!! :)
xD
In the tipping point Gladwell states that the broken window theory is “they say that the criminal, far from being someone who acts for fundamental, intrinsic reasons and who lives in his own world, is actually someone actually sensitive to his environment, who is alert to all kinds of cues, and who is prompted to commit crimes based on his perception of the world around him”. For example the real estate business revolves around this theory. When you are going to buy a house you want to make sure it’s in a good neighborhood and nothing bad will happen to you or your family. The first thing you do is look around see if it’s clean and if you see nice people. If you go to a bad neighborhood with dirty houses, graffiti and broken windows you would not buy that house and you will not feel safe.
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