Editing Vandalism (section)

===Motives===
Actions of this kind can be ascribed to anger or envy, or to spontaneous, opportunistic behaviour, possibly for peer acceptance or bravado in [[gang]] cultures, or disgruntlement with the target (victim) person or society. Another common motive is to seek [[Attention seeking|attention]], and for personal gain.  Opportunistic vandalism of this nature may also be filmed, the mentality of which can be akin to [[happy slapping]]. The large-scale prevalence of gang [[graffiti]] in some inner cities has almost made it acceptable to the societies based there, so much so that it may go unnoticed, or not be removed, possibly because it may be a fruitless endeavour, to be graffitied on once again. Greed can motivate vandalism as can [[List of political ideologies|some political ideologies]], wish to draw attention to problems, [[frustration]], even playfulness. Youngsters, the most common vandals, frequently experience low status and [[boredom]]. Vandalism enables powerless people to attack those above them, take control and frighten others. Unpunished vandalism can provide relief which [[reinforcement|reinforces]] the behaviour. Vandalism by one person can lead to imitation.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=70758| title = Psychological Analysis of Vandalism| access-date = 29 March 2015| archive-date = 4 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054521/https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=70758| url-status = live}}</ref> Teenage boys and men in their 20s are most likely to vandalize, but older adults and females are also known to sometimes vandalize, with young children occasionally vandalizing, but in a much smaller form, such as making small crayon drawings on walls.{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}
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 (sociologist)|Stanley Cohen]] describes seven different types of vandalism:<ref>Cohen 1973.</ref>
[[File:S95ReformationDestructionEly.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Headless statue in [[Ely Cathedral]]; ideological vandalism during the [[English Reformation]]]] 
#Acquisitive vandalism (looting and petty theft).
#[[Peer pressure]] – Teenagers spend more time away from home with peers, and whether they act constructively or destructively can depend on the contacts they make. Disobeying authority can appear [[Cool (aesthetic)|cool]].
#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).
#Ideological vandalism (carried out to further an explicit ideological cause or deliver a message).
#Vindictive vandalism (for revenge).
#Play vandalism (damage resulting from children's games).
#Malicious vandalism (damage caused by a violent outpouring of diffuse frustration and rage that often occurs in public settings).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://abercia.com/Psychological%20View.htm| title = The Psychological View of Why Children Vandalize| access-date = 29 March 2015| archive-date = 19 March 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150319213052/http://abercia.com/Psychological%20View.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> Cohen's original typology was improved upon by [[Mike Sutton (criminologist)|Mike Sutton]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popcenter.org/bios/Sutton |title=Center for Problem-Oriented Policing &#124; Biographies |publisher=Popcenter.org |access-date=10 December 2012 |archive-date=21 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621211116/http://www.popcenter.org/bios/Sutton |url-status=dead }}</ref> whose research led him to add a seventh sub-type of vandalism – Peer Status Motivated Vandalism.<ref>Sutton, Mike (1987) Differential Rates of Vandalism in a New Town: Towards A Theory of Relative Place. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, October</ref>