An Aesthetic Theory of School Vandalism. Discussion Papers 419

• Main Authors: Allen, Vernon L, Greenberger, David B
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 1977
• Subjects: Aesthetics; Aggression; Behavior Patterns; Conceptual Schemes; Empirical Research; School Vandalism; Theories; Violence

This study presents an aesthetic theory of school vandalism and reports on nine original empirical studies that are relevant to the theory. It is proposed that the act of destroying an object is very enjoyable because it is, in effect, an aesthetic experience. The theory posits that the variables accounting for positive hedonic value associated with socially acceptable aesthetic experiences are similarly responsible for the pleasure associated with acts of destruction. Theory and research in aesthetics have identified many of the important variables responsible for the positive effects that accompany an aesthetic experience. These variables are stimulus characteristics such as complexity, expectation or uncertainty, novelty, intensity, and patterning. These variables may also account for the positive affect produced by the destruction of an object. According to the theory, vandalism is caused in part by the enjoyment derived from the psychological processes manifested during the destruction of an object. Furthermore, aesthetic variables present in an object's initial appearance and in its appearance after being vandalized may serve as eliciting or discriminative stimuli for destructive behavior. After descriptions of a series of experiments, the final section of this report discusses several implications of the theory in terms of school vandalism. (Author/AM)