Vandalism - Research Into Vandalism

Research Into Vandalism

Criminological research into vandalism has found that it serves many purposes for those who engage in it and stems from a variety of motives.

Sociologist Stanley Cohen describes six different types of vandalism: :

1. Acquisitive vandalism (looting and petty theft).
2. Tactical vandalism (to advance some end other than acquiring money or property – such as breaking a window to be arrested and get a bed for the night in a police cell).
3. Ideological vandalism (carried out to further an explicit ideological cause or deliver a message).
4. Vindictive vandalism (for revenge).
5. Play vandalism (damage resulting from children’s games).
6. Malicious vandalism (damage caused by a violent outpouring of diffuse frustration and rage that often occurs in public settings).

Cohen's original typology was improved upon by Mike Sutton whose research led him to add a seventh sub-type of vandalism – Peer Status Motivated Vandalism. This seventh category was found by criminologist Dr. Mathew Williams to be the best fit for explaining the virtual vandalism he studied. Williams’ seminal paper in the Internet journal of criminology makes a significant contribution to understanding the motivations for vandalism, and the characteristics of the dynamics of the groups that participate in it.