What a Messy Desk Says About You - Broken-windows Theory

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Cambodians, like other people living in state of chaos and poverty), need structure and orderliness, in order they can channel their creativity later on. It is implicitly understood that both personalities in this study function within order and structure, immediately of the company, and then larger functioning society. 

One of the reasons why in chaotic societies like Cambodia, educational institutions with structure and order tend to be established by Christians and are like magnets for the local elites and well-recognized for quality, e.g. Don Bosco, International School of Phnom Penh, Home of English, Hope School, World Vision, etc. Same in other developing countries, e.g. in Africa, where the local elites, including many presidents and prime ministers, benefited from Christian educational institutions.

- Theary, Phnom Penh, 20 Sept. 2013

What a Messy Desk Says About You

The New York Times | 19 Sept. 2013

 [excerpts]

The results were something of a surprise, says Kathleen D. Vohs, a behavioral scientist at the University of Minnesota and the leader of the study. Few previous studies found much virtue in disarray. The broken-windows theory, proposed decades ago, posits that even slight disorder and neglect can encourage nonchalance, poor discipline and nihilism. Chaos begets chaos.

But in the study by Dr. Vohs, disordered offices encouraged originality and a search for novelty. In the final portion of the study, adults were given the choice of adding a health “boost” to their lunchtime smoothie that was labeled either “new” or “classic.” The volunteers in the messy space were far more likely to choose the new one; those in the tidy office generally opted for the classic version.

“Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition,” Dr. Vohs and her co-authors conclude in the study, “which can produce fresh insights.”

Also, at www.thearyseng.com