Malcolm Gladwell The Power Of Context Examples

A Synthesis of “The Power of Context (Part One)”

Understanding epidemics--widespread outbreaks of ideas, diseases, trends etc.--can be very beneficial, both for understanding past epidemics and for helping the spread of or prevention of future outbreaks. In Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell effectively and rightly establishes his theory on epidemics--that situations have immense influences over people--in the chapter “The Power of Context (Part One).” He uses the Broken Window Theory, the Zimbardo Prison Study, and the Good Samaritan test to thoroughly prove this theory correct. The Broken Window Theory is essentially the idea that chaos and disorder lead to crime and even more disorder. Gladwell

This suggests that allowing and not retaliating against petty crime shows a level of indifference that people can sense, leading to beliefs that more serious crimes will also not be noticed. Gladwell’s proficient use of this outside source adds credibility to his claim. He ties in the Broken Window Theory with different instances of crime, effectively presenting the connection between disorder and crime. Gladwell accredits the sharp decrease in New York’s crime rate to the policies of David Gunn and William Bratton, part of the Transit Authority and the New York Police Department respectively, who put into practice the Broken Window Theory. Crime ran rampant when they took their positions; New York, both above and below ground, was chaotic. Graffiti, vandalism, and petty theft were all clearly visible. They began their careers by

The Good Samaritan test was used John Darley and Daniel Batson, psychologists at Princeton University, who tested whether or not theology students would, like in the Good Samaritan story, stop and help a stranger on the street. Different subjects were either told that they had time to get to a certain event or they were already late. The study found that a majority of theology students who had time stopped and helped the stranger. Of those who were told they were late, most did not, despite a recent reading of the Good Samaritan story that some had. Gladwell interprets the test’s results as confirmation of his theory: “the convictions of your heart and the actual contents of your thoughts are less important... in guiding your actions than the immediate context of your behavior” (Gladwell 165). He explains how the actions of the theologists are due to their surroundings and the context of the situation they are in. By presenting an example more relatable than a prison or crime, Gladwell skillfully displays how his theory applies to everyday life. Decisions made on a regular basis can change if the context around that decision changes. Gladwell goes on and connects the example of the Good Samaritan to his previous example of crime: “For a crime to be committed, something extra, something additional, has to happen to tip a troubled person toward violence” (Gladwell 166). Gladwell