Reading Log 6

In this reading we learned about the power of context. The power of context basically says that peoples behavior is affected by their environment. For example if an alley way is filthy and there are lots of broken windows than the message that nobody cares will be broadcast. Criminals will then be more likely to commit crime because they will assume that if nobody cares to keep the alley way nice, than nobody will care wether they comit a crime either. In New York city the police used the power of context to make the crime rate tip. They removed the graffiti from the train cars and arrested people for fair-beaten. The message was spread that the police cared and therefore the criminals thought they would be more likely to get cause, so they did not commit as many crimes.